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COLONIZATION 



THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA, 



BY MEANS OF A LINE OF 



MAIL STEAM SHIPS. 




REPORT OF THE NAVAL COMMITTEE— EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS— LETTERS— SPEECHES, tc 



c,V \ 






NEW YORK: 

PRESTED BV \V. L, BURROUGHS, (STEAM POWER PRESSES,) 113 FCLTO?? BTREET. 

1851. 



.6 7/^" 



C O N 1' E N T S . 



I. 

Report of the Naval Committee to the House of Representatives, August, 1850, in favor of 
the establishment of a line of Mail Steamships to the Western Coast of Africa, &c. 

II. 

Bill reported by the Committee to establish a line of War Steamers to the Coast of Africa. 

III. 
Letter from the Hon. T. Butler King to the Hon. F. P. Stanton, on the Report of the Naval 
Committee. 

IV. 
Letter from Thomas J. Durant, Esq.. of New Orleans, in favor of the Report of the Nava 
Committee, and in reply to a series of articles in the Commercial Bulletin, New Orleans. 

V. 
Letter from the Rev. R. R. Gurley, Chaplain of the U. S. Senate, in favor of the establish- 
ment of the proposed line of Steamers. 

VI. 

Extract from a Letter from the President of Liberia, dated Monrovia, September 27, 1850, 
in favor of the project, and showing the pro.sperity of the Colony. 

VII. 
Letter from J. McDonogh, Esq. of New Orleans, to the Rev. R. R. Gurley, on the subject 
of Colonization, with Mr. Gurley's remarks on the same. 

VIII. 
Extract from the Will of Mr. McDonogh, bequeathing one-eighth part of the Rents of his 
Estate to the American Colonization Society. 

IX. 
Extract from the Leading Article of the African Repository and Colonial Journal for October, 
1850, (the official organ of the Colonization Society,) on the question whether tho Frea 
Colored People will emigrate to Liberia. 

X. 
Article from the African Repository, on the proceedings in Congress with respect to tha 
Bill reported by the Naval Committee. 

XI. 
Action of the Synod of Virginia, on Colonization and the proposed Steamships. 

XII. 
Extract from Governor W. B. Seabrook's Annual Message, delivered to the Legislature of 
South Carolina, Nov. 26, 1850, in favor of the expulsion of Free. Colored People from that 
State. 

XIII. 
Extract from the last Message from the Governor of Indiana to the Legislature of that 
State, in favor of the proposed line of Steamers to Africa. 

XIV. 

Extract from the Report of First Assistant Post Master General, Nov. 16, 1850, in favor of 
an increased number of Ocean Mail Steamship Lines. 

XV. 
Extract* from the Waohiagton Press ;— The Republic, Union, and National Intelligencer. 



XVI. 

Extracls*from Kditorial articles in the New York Press, viz : — The Journal of Commerce, the 
Courier and linquirtT, the Commercial Advertiser, the Tribum', the Ilcralii, the Express, 
the Sun, tl>e Sur, tiie Globe, the Freeman's Journal, the Mirror, the Presbyterian, the 
Rochester Democrat, the Utica Observer, the Roman Citizen, the Highland Courier. 

XVII. 
Extracts from the Editorial Articles of the New Jersey and Pa. Press, viz :— The Newark 
Advertiser, the Pensylvanian, the Philadelphia North American. 

XVIJI. 
Extracts from Editorials of the New Enghind Pre.ss, viz : — The Boston Post, the Hartford 
Courant, the Portsmouth (N. H.) Journal the Republican Herald, Providence, R. I. 

XIX. 
Extracts from the Editorials of the Ohio. Indiana, and Michigan Press, viz : — The Cincin- 
nati Daily Enquirer, Indiana State Sentinel, Indiana State Journal, Detroit Advertiser. 

XX. 

Extracts from Editorials ofthe Maryland, Virtjinia. Kentucky and Tennessee Press, viz :— The 
Richmond Republican, the RichmondEnquircr. the Winchester ( Va.) Paper, the Watchman and 
Observer, Va., tlic Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Clip])cr, the Frankfort (Ky.) Commonwealth, 
the Louisville (Ky) Journal, the Knoxville Register, Tennessee. 

XXI. 
Extracts from the Editorials of the Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina Press, viz: — The 
New Orleans Delta, the N. O. Picayune, the Savannah (Georgia) Republican, Dc Bows 
^N. O.) Review, the S. C. Miscellany, the Charleston Courier. 

XXII. 
Remarks ofthe Hon. Henry Clay, in the Senate, January 15, 1851. 

XXIIl. 
The proposal of the British Government, to invite emigration of Free Black.s from tlic U. S. 
to the British West Indies. 

XXIV. 
Extract from the Report of tiie Rev. R. R. Gurley to the Government of the U. S. on the 
condition, resources, and i)rosperity of Liberia. 



COLONIZATION 



OF THE 



WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA. 



REPORT OF THE NAVAL COMMITTEE 

TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AUGUST, 1850, IN FAVOR OF A LI>E OF 
MAIL STEAMSHIPS TO THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA, ETC. 



The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of 
Joseph Bryan, of Alabama, for himself and his associates, Geo. Nicholas Sanders 
and others, praying the establishment of a line of steamers from the United States 
to the coast of Africa, designed to promote the colonization of free persons of 
color, to suppress the African slave-trade, to carry the mails, and to extend 
the commerce of the United States, beg leave to submit the following report : — 

PRESENT SYSTEM OF THE GOVERNMENT IN REGARD TO THE CREATION OF A 

STEAM NAVY. 

The proposition of the memorial involves an extension of that system, recently 
commenced by Congress, which has for its object the creation of a powerful steam 
navy, to be used in time of peace in carrying the mails, and in effecting great 
public objects, not to be attained by private enterprise \vithout the aid of Congress. 
How far it may be desirable to extend this system will depend upon the double 
consideration of the present condition of our naval force, and the importance and 
feasibility of the ends to be accomphshed by the measure. As to the first of these, 
the committee will present a brief statement of the facts material to a correct 
understanding of the comparative extent of our present steam navy. 

In the report of Mr. Secretary Bancroft, made to the Senate on the 2d March, 
1846, the total effective steam navy of Great Britain was stated, at that time, to 
consist of one hundred and ninety-nine vessels, of all classes ; that of France 
numbered fifty-four ; that of Russia, without the Caspian fleet, thirty-two ; while 
the steam navy of the United States could boast of but six small vessels, and one 
in process of building ; and of these one was for harbor defence, and another a 
steam-tug. 

Since that time, however. Congress has provided for the building of four war- 
steamers, and for the establishment of several lines of steamships engaged in car- 
rying the mails, consisting of seventeen large vessels, suitable for war purposes, 
and at all times liable to be taken for public ser\'ice. Of these latter, nine will 
run between New- York and European ports ; five between New- York and Cha- 
gres; and three between Panama and San Francisco. 



6 

Notwithstanding this increase in our force, it has by no means kept pace with 
that of other great njinmercial nations. The American Almanac for the 
present year estimates the steam navy of France at sixty-four steam vessels of 
war, besides a reserved force of ten steam frigates, now ready, and six corvettes 
and six small vessels nearly ready. The rrencli (jovernment has also resolved to 
follow the example of England in establishing lines of steamers, built so as to bo 
easily ronvorted into ships of war, to be employed in commerce and for carrying 
tlie mails, but being at all times subject to the requisition of the Ciovernment. 

England, also, has added largely to her steam navy, and has increased her lines 
of mail steamers, giving evidence that she, at least, considers this the best and 
cheapest mode of providing in time of peace for the exigencies of war. On this 
subject the committee refer to the following facts, for which they are indebted to 
the remarks of Hon. ']\ Butler King, of ircorgia, made in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, Febiniary 11), 1848. 

By act of Parliament, 7 William IV., chap. 3, all previous contracts entered 
into for the conveyance of the mails by sea were ti'ansferred to the Admiralty. 
In the year 183H, the idea was conceived that the vast cxdenditures required in 
naval armaments might be made subser%'ient to the purposes of commerce in time 
of peace. Accordingl}' a contract was eiitered into with 3Ir. Cunard and his 
associates, for the conveyance of the mails from Liverpool, via Halifax, to Boston," 
in five steamers of the first class, for JC85,000, or about $425,000 per annum. 
It was stipulated that they should be built under the supervision of the Admiralty, 
should be inspected on being received into the service, and certified to be capable 
in all respects of being converted into ships of war, and carrying ordinance of 
the heaviest description. Various stipulations were entered into in this and other 
contracts of a similar character, which placed these ships under the control of 
the Government ; thus, in fact, making them, to all intents and purposes, at the 
same time a part of the mercantile and military marine of the country. 

In 1840, the Government enhirgcd tlie contract with Mr. Cunartl and his asso- 
ciates, by acUling four ships, to run from Liverpool to Ncw-\ork, and increased 
the compensation to JE 145,000, or about $725,000 ]»er anmnn. 

In the year 1840, a contract was made by the Admiralty with the Royal Mail 
Steamship Company at £24t),000 sterling, or $1,200,000 per aimum, for fourteen 
steamers to carry the mails from Southampton to the West Indies, the ports of 
Mexico on the Gulf, and to New-Orleans, Mobile, Savannah and Charleston. 
These ships are of the first class, and are to coidbrm, in all respects concerning 
size and adaptation to the purposes of war, to conditions prescribed in the Cunard 
C(jntracts. They are to make twenty-tour voyages a year, leaving and returning 
to Southampton semi-monthly. Another contract has been lately entered into for 
two ships, to run between Bermuda and New-York. '1 hese lines emjiloy twenty- 
five steamers of the largest and most etlicient description. 

In addition to tlu- abovi-, a contract was made, 1st January, 1845, with tlie 
IV'ninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for a line of similar steamers, 
seven in nnmlicr, fmni I'wigland to the East Indies and China, at JClt50,0t)0 ster- 
ling, or $800,000 |ii'r annum. This line passed from Southampton, via (iibraltar 
and Malta, t(» Alexandria in Egypt; thence the route contimies overland to Suez, 
at flu- head of the Red Sea, from whence the steamers again start, touching at 
Adan, B()nd)ay, and at the I'oint de (ialle, in the Island of Ceylon, from whence 
tliey proceed to Singa[)ore and Hong Kong. There is a branch line connected 
with this, fn»m Point de Galle to (.'alcutta, touching at Madras. 

.\ contract was made, 1st July, INIO, for a Pacilic line of British steamers, 
four in number, running from V alparaiso to Panania, touching at intermediate 
ports. This line connects overland, from Panama to Chagrcs, with the West 
India line. 



Besides these, there were m 1848 twelve more Jinea of Goveminent stoiiiners 
running between (ire;it Britain and the continent of I'^urope, niakiiif,' a grand ag- 
gregate of one hundred and fifteen ocean steamships litted for war purjjoses. 
Very recently the British Parliament has resolved to extend the mail steamship 
system to Australi:-. 

The committee do not propose that our Govemmeut shall attempt to emulate 
this vast network of steam navigation, with which England has already encom- 
passed the globe. But it is believed that the recent increase of our territorv, on the 
Pacific and in the Gulf of Mexico, forms an additional reason for a consitlerable aug- 
mentation of our steam navy, whether by a direct addition to the navy proper, or by 
the encouragement of lines of steam })ackets, to be established by |)rivate enterprise 
under the auspices of Government. Jf the latter system should be adopted, as 
already commenced, the sliips will be built under the inspection of u Government 
officer, at the expense of private individuals; they will l)e commandi'd bv officers 
in the navy, and will be at all times availa])le for the pultlic service. It will be the 
interest of the contractors to adopt, from time to time, all the improv(>ments which 
may be made in the machiner}' and in the means of propulsion, and the ships will 
be kept in good repair. Besides being commanded by a naval officer, each ship 
wdll carry a sufficient number of midshipmen for watch officers, and thus a very 
considerable portion of the per-ww/ip/ of the senice will be kej)t actively employed, 
■with the opportunity of acquiring the knowledge and skill requisite to the proper 
management of a steam navy. A corps of trained engineers and firemen will be 
attached to each ship, and no doubt these would generally remain with her when 
the ship should be called into the public service. 

SOME VERY LARGE STEAMERS REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT. 

The committee are of opinion that it is higlily desirable to have ready for the 
public sen'ice some very large steamships of the description proposed by the me- 
morialist. They would have great advantages over small ships, in their capacity 
to carry fuel sufficient for long voyages, and to transport large bodies of troops, 
and place them rapidly, in a fresh and vigorous condition, at any pohit where they 
■might be required. 

CHIEF OBJECT OF THE PROPOSED MEASURE TO AID THE EMIGRATION OF THE 
FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR TO LIBERIA, AND TO SUPPRESS THE SLAVE TRADE. 

But it is chiefly for the great and benificent objects of removing the free persons 
of color from this country to the coast of Africa, and of suppressiug the slave 
trade, that the committee are disposed to recommend the adoption of the projiosed 
measure. The latter of these has been the subject of treaties by our Government 
.with other nations, with whom w^e have engaged to maintain a large naval force 
on the coast of Africa to assist in suppressing the inhuman traffic ; while the 
emigration of the free blacks has long been an o])ject of great interest in all parts 
of the country, and especially in the slaveholding States, where they are looked 
upon by the wldtes with aversion and distrust. The policy of all or most of these 
States has been to discourage manumission, except on condition of the removal of 
the liberated slave. In no part of the Union do the free blacks enjoy an equality 
of political and social privileges ; and in all the States, their presence is neither 
■agreeable to the whites, nor is their condition advantageous to themselves. In 
some of the slave States stringent prohibitions have been adopted, and unj)leasant 
controversies with free States have been thereby engendered. The emigration of 
this entire population beyond the limits of our country, is the only eflectual mode 
of curing these evils, and of removing one cause of dangerous irritation beyond 
the different sections of the Union. 

The committee believe it is expedient to aid private enterprise in the coloniza- 



8 

tioii of the western coast of Africa, because it is the most eflectual, if not the 
only mode of extirpating the shive trade. The success of this measure will 
doubtless render tlie African squadron wholly unnecessary, thus reimbursing a 
large portion of tlie expense attending it, and at the same time better accom- 
phshing the object for which that squadron is maintained. It ma^' be expedient 
for some one of the great naval powers to keej) a small force on the coast of 
Africa to protect Liberia, for a limited time, against the slave traders. But the 
attempt to suppi-ess this unlawful trafiic by Itlockading the coast has so signally 
failed, that it will probably soon be abandoned by the great Eurojiean powers. 
^^hile the intluence of the Republic of Liberia has been shown in the complete 
suppression of the trade along a coast of several hundred miles in length, the 
combined squadrons of Europe and America have not been so successful on other 
portions of that unhappy shore. In 1847, no less than 84,356 slaves were ex- 
ported from Africa to Cuba and Brazil. In the opinion of the committee, it is 
highh' important to prevent the further Africanizhig of the American continent. 
An o})posite movement, so far as the free blacks are concerned, is far more in 
accordance with the spirit of the age, and with the best interests of all American 
Governments. The peo])le of the United States have shown tlieir strong aversion 
to the slave trade by the provision of their Constitution against it, anil by their 
unremitting and vigorous efforts to suppress it. The success which has already 
crowned the infancy of Liberia, indicates the true mode of making those exertions 
eflectual, while it opens up the way for restoring the free blacks to the native 
land of their fathers. 

IMPORTANCE OF LIBERIA TO THE CATTSE OF CIVILIZATIO^- AXD RELIGION IX 

AFRICA. 

The committee beg leave here to present some interesting facts which satisfy 
them that the territory of Liberia is eminently adapted to colored emigrants from 
the United States ; that the estal)lishment of this line of steamships by the Gov- 
ernment will be a po^^'erful stimulus to the cause of colonization, and will be the 
means of securing the emigration of great numbers of free blacks ; that the slave 
trade will be substituted by a peaceful, legitimate and valual)le commerce, opening 
new sources of enterprise and wealth to our people ; and that the civilization and 
christianization of tlie whole continent of Africa may be expected eventuallv to 
follow. The facts presented are collected chiefly iVom the jjublications of the 
Colonization Society. 

That portion of the western coast of Africa, called Liberia, embraces a tract of 
country included between the parallels of 4 deg. 21 min. and 7 deg. north lati- 
tude, extending about 400 miles along the coast. The first settlement was made 
by free negroes from the United States, under the auspices of the American Colo- 
nization Society, in the year 1820. 

OHJECTS OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 

The objects of that Society were — 

" 1st. To rescue the free colored people of the United States from their politi- 
cal and social disadvantages. 

" 2d. To place them in a country where they may enjoy the benefits of free 
government, with all the blessings which it brings in its train. 

" 3d. To spread civilization, sound morals, and true religion throughout the 
contitient of Africa. 

" 1th. 'J'o arrest and (h'stroy tlic slave traile. 

" r>tli. To afford slave owners, who wisli, or are willing, to liberate tlieir slaves, 
an asylum for their reception," 



DESCRIPTION OF LIBERIA. 

The funds of this Society have seldom exceeded 850,000 per year, but they 
have purchased territory, enabled nearly 7,000 free peopk> of color to emigrate to 
Liberia, and have made provision, for such of them as required it, for six months 
after their arrivah In July, 1847, an independent government was formed, which 
has been recognized by France, England and Prussia. Upwards of 80,000 of 
the natives have l)ecome civilized, and enrolled themselves as citizens of the Re- 
public. The Liberians have a flourishing commerce. They have not only suc- 
ceeded in suppressing the slave trade along their own coast, but havtj also made 
treaties Avith several tribes, nuinbering over 200,000 souls, for the discontinuance 
of tlie traffic. Tliey have purchased their territory from time to time of the na- 
tives, and are gradually extending themselves up to the Dritish settlement of 
Sierra Leone, and down to the Gold Coast. 

The interior settlements of tlio purchased tracts usually extend from about ten 
to thirty miles from the coast, and can easily be enlarged by purchase in that 
direction at a moderate amount. In no instance have the natives from whom the 
land was purchased been required to remove their residences. The land in the 
immediate vicinity of the ocean in Liberia is generally low, and in some places 
marshy ; but there are some elevated spots. The land generally becomes more 
elevated towards the interior ; and in some places, within fifty miles of the coast, 
it is quite mountainous. It is desirable for the colony to become possessed of this 
back country, as it is much healthier than the coast, and when the emigration 
from the United States becomes extensive, the mountain region will soon be 
occupied. The natives are a fine, healthy, athletic race ; and even the emigrants 
to the lands on the coast have enjoyed better health tlian the emigrants of some of 
our Western States in the first few yeai-s of settlement. 

Liberia is on the " grain coast," and is protected from the scorching winds of 
the north and east by ranges of mountains. The soil is fertile, and produces an 
abundance of Indian corn, yams, plantains, coft'ee, arrow-root, indigo, dye- 
woods, &c. 

Every emigi-ant is welcome in the colony, and receives a grant of five acres of 
land, besides which he can purchase as much as he pleases at one dollar per 
acre. 

The climate is not suited to the whites. The President and all the ofHcials are 
colored men. There are flourishing towns, churches, schools, and printing 
presses. According to the statement of Rev. R. R. Gurley, who has recently 
visited the colony, the people are highly moral, well conducted, and prosperous, 
and the value of the exports of the RepubUc is at present 500,000 dollars per 
annum, and is increasing at the rate of 50 per cent, annually. 

Not only will the slave-trade be abolished by the establishment of colonies of 
free colored people on the coast of Africa, but, as already intimated, these 
colonies will be the means, at no distant period, of disseminating civilization and 
Christianity throughout the whole of that continent. Already, a great many of 
the natives have placed themselves under the protection of the Liberians, whose 
knowledge of agriculture and the arts inspires confidence and respect. 

As a missionary enterprise, therefore, the colonization of Africi by the descend- 
ants of Africans on this continent, deserves, and no doubt wUl receive the 
countenance and support of the whole Christian w^orld. 

TWO POIXTS REGARDED AS SETTLED TRUTHS IN REGARD TO ArRICAX 

CIVILIZATION. 

Two points are now regarded, both in Europe and in this country, as settled 
truths, viz.: 1st. That the planting and building up of Christian colonies on the 



10 

roast of Africa, is (he only practical ivinctly for tlie slavc-tradt*. '^d. That 
colored men onl}- can with safety settle upon the African coast. 

That the free nej^'roes of the United States will be induced to go in large 
numbers to Liberia, if a quick and pleasant passage by steam vessels be |)rovidcd, 
and suitalile preparation be made for them on their arrival, by the Colonization 
Society, cannot admit of any doubt. 

The funds ftf that Society, augmented probably twenty-fold, will then be 
available, almost exclusively, for the comfortable establishment of the emigrants 
in their new homes — the expense of transportation chargeable to the Society 
being merel>- nominal. 

XIMBKR OF KREK COLOUKI) PKOl'LK IX TIIK UNITED STATES. 

It is estimated that there are no less than 500,000 free colored people in the 
United States, and that the annual increase therein of the black race is 70,000 
per annum. With respect to slaves, who may hereafter be manumitted, no doubt 
such maiumiission will, almost in every instance, be upon the condition that the 
parties shall a\ail themselves of the opportunity of emigrating to Liberia. 

PRESENT MODE OF SETTLING EMIGRANTS. 

Tlie conunittee do not propose that the emigrants should be landed in Liberia, 
and then left to their own resources. Liberia is at present incapable of receiving 
and j)roviding shelter, subsistence, and emj)Ioyment for any great number of 
emigrants who may land there in a state of destitution. It has been the practice 
heretofore, for the Colonization Society to provide for the colonists, whom they 
have sent out, for six months after their arrival, and the cost of such provision has 
averaged 330 jjer head in addition to the cost of transportation. 

AID FROM STATE LEGISLATURES. 

A large amount of money will be required to settle the colonists in the first instance 
comfortaltly in their new homes. But there is no doubt, that if the (iovernment estab- 
lish the proposed line of steamships, the people of the difierent States, and the State 
Legislatures, will at once turn their attention to the subject of colonization, and 
that large apjiropriations will be voted, and liberal collections made, in aid of that 
object. The State of Maryland has already appropriated and laid out $200,000 
in this work, and the Legislature of Virginia has lately appropriated ^40,000 
per^'ear for the same purpose. But these sums are insignificant in comparison to 
what may be expected, if the Government shall give its high sanction to the 
colonization of Africa, and j)rovide the means of transportation by a line of 
steamships. In that event, the whole mass of the people, north and south, who 
for the most part do not a])preciate the rapid progress and the high capabilities of 
Liberia, will quickly discover the vast importance of colonization, and will urge 
their representatives to ado{)t measures adequate to the exigency of the case and 
the magnitude of the enterprise. 

Ml) FROM MISSIONARY SOCIETIES AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. 

There is good reason to anticiiiate that inqmrtant assistance w ill be rendered to 
the emigrants, not only by the Missionary Societies of iMn-ope, but also by those 
governments which have taken an interest in the .suppression of the slave-trade, 
and which are desirous of o|)ening channels for their conunerce, and marts for 
their manufactures, on the western c(»ast of Africa. 

ANMAL NlMllEK OF EMKIRANTS. 

It is estimated that by the time when the first two ships are (o be finished and 



11 

ready for sea, there will be a large body of emigrants ready to take passage in 
them; and that for the next two years each sliip will take from 1,000 to 1,500 
passengers on each voyage, or from 8,000 to 12,000 in each of those years. 

PKOPOSED MODE OF SETTLING EMIGKANTS AM) ITS COST. 

To furnisli each family intending to devote themselves to agricultural pursuits, 
with a dwelling house suitably furnished, and a piece of land of suthcient extent, 
cleared and planted, together with the necessary agricultural imj)lenu'iits and stock 
of provisions, will, it is calculated, cost the Society a sum ecpial to $.'iO or !$10 
per head for each emigrant, allowing each family to consist of live persons. The 
cost of estalilishing famihes intending to follow trading and mechanical j)ursuits, 
will be somewhat less than the above estimate for agri(;ultural I'ainilies ; but the 
average cost for the whole of the emigrants may be estimated at !$r>0 jier head, 
including all the expenses of transj)ortation, making a total of from 8100,000 to 
$600,000 per annum, for the first two years. 

As the colony increases in population, and the interior of the country becomes 
settled, any lumiber of emigrants that may be sent out will l)e readily al)Sorbed, 
as there will be a demand for all kinds of laborers, mechanics, and domestic 
servants, and it will be unnecessary to make tliat provision for them which is now 
indispensable. 

EMIGRATION TO BE KEGULATED BY TIIR COLOXIZATIOX SOCIETY. 

The Colonization Society will, as heretofore, so regulate the emigration, as to 
send out only suitable persons, and keep up a due proportion between the two 
sexes. 

By the compact between the Colonization Society and the Republic, made 
when the Society ceded its territory to the Republic, ample power is reserved b^- 
the Society for the protection of emigrants who may be sent out by them. 
Moreover, the authorities invite emigration, and each emigrant receives a donation 
of a tract of land. 

COMMERCE OF AFRICA. 

The establishment of prosperous colonies on the western coast of Africa, will, 
doubtless, tend greatly, in the course of time, to the augmentation of the com- 
merce of this country. It appears that British commerce with Africa amounts to 
no less than five millions sterling, or about $25,000,000 per annum. The belief 
is now confidently entertained in (4reat Britain, that an immense connnerce may 
be opened up Avith that continent, by putting an end to the slave-trade, and stuuu- 
lating the natives to the arts of peace. 

The commerce of Africa is certainly capable of great extension ; and it is wor- 
thy of observation, that tlie proposed steamers will open entirely new sources of 
trade. 

On the subject, the committee beg leave to submit the following particulars, 
from which the future resources of this vast undeveloped legion may be, to some 
extent, anticipated. 

Palm oil is produced by the nut of the palm tree, which grows in the greatest 
abundance throughout Western Africa. The demand for it botli in Europe and 
' America, is daily increasing. The average import into Liverpool ot palm oil, for 
some years past"^ has been at least 15,000 tons, valued at £400.000 sterling. 

Gold is found at various points of the coast. It is obtained l»y the natives by 
washing the sand which is brought down by the livers from the mountains. An 
exploration of the mountains will proljably result in the discovery of large rjuanti- 
ties of the metal. It is calculated that England has received altogether $200,000,- 
000 of gold from Africa. Liberia is adjacent to the " Gold Coast." 



12 

Ivory is procurabK' at all points, and constitutes an important article of com 
merce. 

Cofl'ee, of a quality superior to the best of Java or Mocha, is raised in Liberia, 
and can be cultivated with great ease to any extent. The coffee tree bears fruit 
from thirty to forty years, and yields an average of ten pounds to the shrub yearly. 

Camwood and other dye-woods are found in great quantities in many ])arts of 
tlie country. About tlih-ty miles east of Bassa Cove is the commencement of a 
region of unknown extent, where scarcely any tree is seen except the camwood. 

Cums of different kinds enter largely into commercial transactions. 

Dyes of all shades and hues are abundant, and they have been proved to resist 
both acids and light. 

Pejiper, ginger, arrow-root, indigo, tamarinds, oranges, lemons, limes, and many 
other articles \\'hich are brought from tropical countries to this, may be added to 
the list. Indeed there is nothing in the fertile countries of the East or West Indies 
which may not be ])rodueed in equal excellence in Western Africa. 

Tiie soil is amazingly fertile. Two crops of corn, sweet potatoes, and several 
other vegetables, can be raised in a year. It yields a larger crop than the best soil 
in the I'nited States. " One acre of rich land well tilled," says Covernor Ashmun, 
" will produce three hundred dollars worth of indigo." Half an acre may be made 
to grow half a ton of arrow-root. 

" An immense market may beo])enedfor the exchange and sale of the innumera- 
ble products of tlie skill and manufactures of our people. Africa is estimated to 
contain one hunch'cd and sixty millions of inhabitants. Liberia enjoys a favorable 
geographical position. She is protected by the great powers of Europe. The Li- 
berians have constitutions adapted to the climate, and a similiarity of color with 
the natives. They will penetrate the interior with safety, and prosecute their trade 
in the bays and rivers of the coast, without sulTering from the diseases which are 
so fatal to the white man. Liberia is the door of Africa, and is destined to de- 
velop the agricultural and commercial resources of that continent, besides being the 
means of regenerating her benighted millions." 

CONSTITUTIONAL POWER OF CONGRESS OVER TIIE SUBJECT. 

The foregoing remarks have related entirely to the advantages of the proposed 
measure. It is possible some scruples may be entertained in regard to its consti- 
tutionaUty. This, the Committee think, cannot l)e reasonably doubted. The 
Government has already adopted this mode of providing a powerful steam navy, 
at the same tune giving incidental but important encouragement to great connner- 
cial interests. In this instance, the ertectual suppression of the slave-trade and the 
withdrawal of the African squadron by the sul)stitution of a number of mighty 
steamers regularly l)lying to tliat coast, afl'ord a motive and a justification which 
do not exist in regard to any one of the lines already established. 

It was the o|)inion of Mr. .lellerson, that the United States had power to estab- 
lish colonies for the free blacks on the coast of Africa, and he desired its exercise. 
Chief Justice .Marsiiall and Mr. Madison concurred in this opinion. And it is to 
be oljserved that the first purchase in the colony of Liberia was made by the 
Ciovernment of the United Slates. The opinions of the leading jurists of our day 
do not appear to dilfer from the great founders of the Constitution, who believed 
not only that indirect aid to the cause of colonization may be given in accordance 
willi that iiistrinnent, but that the (Government has power to establish the colonies 
themselves. 'I'he jiroposilion of the ('onniiitti-e does not, l)y any means, go to this 
»'xt(;nt. It gc)es ni> farther than recently adoj)ted and still existing operations of 
the (icjvernmenl, while it is believed to rest uj)on far higher and better grounds of 
»uj)Iiort. 



13 



THE OBJECT NOT SECTIONAL. 



Nor does it involve any merely sectional considerations. The committee have 
therefore refrained from expressing any views which might bo considered favorable 
to the peculiar interests either of the North or of the South. The question of 
slavery, now the cause of so deep an excitement, is not, to any extent, either di- 
rectly or indirectly involved. The Government of tiie United States, it is admit- 
ted on all hands, has no power to interfere with tliat suliject within the several 
States. Neither does the proposition at all interfere with tlie question of emanci- 
pation. This is wholly beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal Goverinnent, and be- 
longs exclusively to the people of the several States, and the individual slavehold- 
ers themselves. But the removal of the free Hacks to the coast of Africa, is a 
measure in which all sections and all interests are believed to be equally concerned. 

From tlie foregoing considerations, the committee l)elieve it to be wise and poli- 
tic to accept the proposition of the memorialists, with some moditications which 
meet with their approval. 

DETAILS OF THE PLAN, STIPULATIONS, &;C. 

Instead of four ships, it is proposed to make the line consist of three, which shall 
make monthly trips to Liberia, touching on their return at certain points in Spain, 
Portugal, France, and England, thus : one ship will leave New-York every three 
months, toucliing at Savannah for freight and mails ; one will leave Baltimore every 
three months, touching at Norfolk and Charleston for passengers, freight and mails ; 
and one will leave New Orleans every three months, with liberty to touch at any 
of the West India Islands. They will proceed directly to Liberia, with liberty to 
touch at any of the islands or ports of the coast of Africa ; thenoe to Gibraltar, 
carrying the Mediterranean mails ; thence to Cadiz, or some other port of Spain, 
to be designated by the Government ; thence to Lisbon ; thence to Brest, or some 
orther port of France, to be designated as above ; and thence to London — bringing 
mails from all those points to the United States. 

The measure proposed by the Committee contains the following stipulations and 
provisions, to wit : — 

Each ship to be of not less than 4,000 tons burden, and the cost of each not to 
exceed ^900,000. The Government to advance two-thirds of the cost of construc- 
tion, from time to time, as the building progresses, — the advance to be made in five 
per cent, stocks, payable at the end of thij-ty years, — such advances to be repaid by 
the contractors in equal annual instalments, beginning and ending with the service. 
The said ships to be built in accordance with plans to be submitted to and approv- 
ed by the Secretary of the Navy, and under the superintendance of an officer to 
be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy, and to be so constructed as to be con- 
vertible, at the least possible expense, into war-steamers of the first class. The 
ships to be kept up by alterations, repairs, or additions, to be approved by the Sec- 
retary of the Navy, so as to be at all times fully equal to the exigencies of the ser- 
vice, and the faithful performance of the contract. 

Each ship to be commanded by an officer of the Navy, who, with four passed 
midshipmen to serve as watch officers, shall be accommodated in a manner suitable 
to their rank, without charge to the Government. The Secretary of the Navy at 
all times to have the right to place on board of each ship two guns of heavy calibre, 
and the men necessary to serve them, to be accommodated and provided for by the 
contractors. 

The Secretary of the Navy to exercise at all times such control over said ships as 

may not be inconsistent with these terms, and to have the right to take them, or 

either of them, in case of war, for the exclusive use and service of the United States, 

on paying the value thereof; such value, not exceeding the cost, to be ascertained 

3 



14 

by appraisers mutually chosen by the Secretary and the contractors. The Secre- 
tary also to have po^^■er to direct, at the expense of the Government, such changes 
in the niacliiniTV aiul tlie internal arrangements of the said ships, or any of them, as 
lie, at any time, may deem advisable. 

The contractors are further recpiired to stipulate to carry, on each and every voy- 
age they may make, so many emigrants, being free persons of color, and not exceed- 
ing 2,500 for each voyage, as the American Colonization Society may send ; the 
said society pa^'ing in advance §10 for each emigrant over twelve years of age, and 
So for each one under that age ; these sums to include the transportation of bag- 
gage, anil the daily supply of sailors' rations. 

'I'he contractors also to convey, free from cost, such necessary agents as the Gov- 
ernment, or the Colonization Society may reijuire, upon each one of said ships. 

Two of said ships to be furuished and ready for sea witliin two and a half years, 
and the other withm three years, after the execution of the contract. 

The Government to pay forty thousand dollars for each and every trip ; and to 
exact ample security for the faithfid performance of the contract, besides taking a 
lien on the ships for the i-e-payment of the sums advanced. The contract to con- 
tinue fifteen years from the completion of all the ships. 

To assist in fonning a correct judgment as to the fairness of this compensation, 
the committee present an estimate of the probable cost of running the said ships. 

COST OF THE SHIPS AXD OF THE VOYAGE. 

The cost of the ships at 8900,000 will be $2,700,000. Upon this amount 
interest must be calculated at 6 per cent. ; for, although the contractors will pay 
the Government but 5 per cent, on the portion advanced, the balance supplied by 
the contractors must be estimated at the rates in New York and New Orleans, 
which are above 6 per cent. Six per cent, will be a fair average for the whole. 

The depreciation of this kind of property is estimated variously, sometimes a^ 
high as ten per cent, per annum on the total cost ; but as these ships will be 
substantially built for war purposes, it ma}' be estimated at a lower rate. 

Ik'sides this, an allowance must be made for repairs. New boilers will be 
required every six years, and the substitution of these for the old ones not only 
causes loss of time, but also injury to the ships, involving much expense. 

The rate of insurance for this species of property is high. The committee 
are informed, thut the steamships Ohio and Georgia pay eight and a half 
per cent. 

Add the expense of running the ships, viz., fuel, wages of the crew, provisions, 
stores, dock charges, harbor dues, agents, pilotage, lighthouse dues, &c., which 
cannot be estimated at less than $50,000 per voyage, considering that the 
distance to Liberia, and thence home, via Madeira, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Lisbon, Brest, 
and London, is about 12,000 miles; and that each voyage, with the necessary 
delays in various ports will occupy about tliree monttlis. 

STATEMENT OF EXPENSES. 

Interest on 82,700,000 at per cent , $162,000 

Depreciation and repairs, 10 per cent., 270,000 

Insurance 7 per cent., 189,000 

Cost of rujuiing the ships, §50,000 per voyage, twelve voyages per 

annum, * 600,000 



Total uimnal expense §1,221,000 



15 



PROFITS. 



Estimating 1,500 passengers for each voyage, and twelve 
voyages per annum, we have 18,000 passengers. 
These, at $10 for adults and $o for children, may 
average a profit of $3 each, making ... $ 54,000 

Government pay, 480,000 



534,000 



Balance of expense over Government pay and profit of emigrants, 8687,000 

Thus it will be seen that the contractors will have of their probable expenses, 
more than two thirds of a million, or $57,250 each voyage to be made by 
commerce and passengers, independent of the Government pay and the profit 
from the Colonization Seciety. It is quite evident that any iurther profit, beyond 
the ordinary rate of interest at 6 per cent., will be contingent upon the success of 
the enterprise in stimulating commerce M'ith the United States at the points 
regularly touched by these steamers. The contractoi-s have confidence in this, 
and the committee do not doubt that their confidence will be rewarded to a 
reasonable extent. 

It will be obsen'ed, that as the Colonization Society now pay for the transpor- 
tation of emigrants to Liberia, in sailing vessels, no less than $30 per head, the 
proposed arrangement will make the actual cost eventually less than this, even 
adding the amount to be paid by the United States for this sendee, to tlie amount 
to be paid by the said Society, without estimating the receipts from mails, which 
will probably be large. 

At the commencement of operations, when it is estimated that the first two 
ships will carry out 1,000 or 1,500 emigrants for each voyage, the cost will Ije 
Uttle more than it is at present, while the passage will be quicker, pleasanter, and 
healthier, oflering great inducements to emigrants, and placing them on the shores 
of Liberia in a sound and efficient condition. 

As the capacity of the colony to receive a large number of emigrants increases, 
the ratio of expense will be diminished ; and it cannot be doubted, that eventually, 
as the number of emigrants wiU increase, the cost of transportation will relatively 
diminish. 

The committee do not recommend the acceptance of the proposition of the 
memoriahsts, that they shall be pennitted to import the produce of Liberia into 
this country free of duty ; on the contrary, it is believed to be better, for obvious 
reasons, to enter into no such stipulations, but to confine the remuneration, what- 
ever it may be, to a direct payment of money. 

In the above estimates, the committee have endeavored, as far as possible, to 
arrive at just conclusions ; while at the same time, in view of the great public 
objects to be attained by the establishment of the proposed line of steamships, they 
have not deemed it inconsistent with the just liberality of the Goveriunent, that 
those who have had the sagacity to conceive, and who have the ability faithfully 
to carry out this noble project, should have at least a contingent opportunity of 
deriving a handsome profit from their enterprise. Considering the hazards in- 
volved in it, the committee beheve their estimates to be fair and just to both 
parties. 

The committee report a bill accordingly, to which they ask the favorable con- 
sideration of the House. 

Reported from the Committee by 

FRED. P. STANTON, Chairman. 
Washington, July 23, 1850. 



10 



A BILL 

TO EflTABLlail A LINE OP WAR STEAMEITS 

TO THE COAST OF AFRICA 

[Report No. 438.] 

In thelloiise of Ji'presenlatii-e.s', August 
1, 1S50. Jfetid he ice, and committed to 
the Committee of the whole Hoiiseonihe 
State of the Union. 

IMr. F. P. Stanton, from the Committee 
on Naval AfTairs, reported the fbllowino- 
Bill :— A bill to establish a line of wa'r 
steamers io the coast of Africa, for the 
suppression of the slave-trade, and the 
promotion of commerce and coloni/ation : 

Be it enacted bv the Senate and House 
of; Representatives of the United States 
ot America, in Concrress assembled, That 
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of 
the Navy, immediately after the passage 
ol this act, to enter into contract •with 
Joseph Bryan, of Alabama, and George I 
Nicholas Saunders, of New York, and 
their associates, for the building, equip- 
ment, and maintenance of three steam- 
ships to run between the United States 
and the coast of Africa, upon the follow- 
mg terms and conditions, to Avit : 

The said ships to be each of not less 
than four thousand tons burden, to be so 
constructed as to be convertible, at the 
least possible expense, into war steamers 
of the first class, and to be built and 
equipped in accordance with plans to be 
submitted to and approved by the Secretary 
ot the Navy, and under the .-superinten- 
dence of an officer to be appointed by him; 
two of said ships to be finished and ready 
ibr sea in two and a half years, and the 
other within three years at'ter tlie date of 
the contract, and the whole to be kept up 
by alterations, repairs, or additions, to be 
approved by the Secretary of the Navy, so 
as to be fully equal to the exigencies of j 
the service and the faithl'ul performance 
ol the contract, The said Secretary, at 
all times, to exerci.se such control over said 
ships as may not be inconsistent with the 
provisions of tiiis act, and especially to 
have the^ power to direct, at the expense 
of the Gov(^rhmeiit. such changes in the 
machinery' and internal arrangements of 
the ships aa he may at anv time deem ad- 
visable. {/. 

Each of feiid ships to be commanded by 
an r.tlic.r ot the Navy, who with fouV 
Passed .Midshipmen to act as watch 
officers, and any mail agents who may be 
Bent l)y tin; G.svernmcnt. shall be arcom 
modal. -d and jjrovidrd ibr in ii manner 
suitable to their rank at the expense ot 
the contructora. Each of said ships, if 



required by the Secretary, shall receive 
two guns of heavy calibre,' and the men 
Irom the United States Navy necessary 
to serve them, who shall be ])rovided for 
as aforesaid. In the event of war the 
Government to have the right to take any 
or all of said ships fbr its owmi exclusive 
use on payment of the value thereof; 
such value not exceeding the cost, to be 
ascertained by appraisers, chosen by the 
Secretary of the Navy and the con- 
tractors. 

Each of said ships to make four 
vojages per annum : one .shall leave 
New-Orleans every three months; one 
sliall leave Baltimore every three months 
touching at Norfolk and Charleston : anti 
one shall leave New York evcrv three 
months, touching at Savannah ; a'll hav- 
ing liberty to touch at anv of the West 
India Islands; and to proceed thence to 
Liberia, touching at any of the islands 
or ])orts on the coast of Africa ; thence 
to Gibraltar, car.-ying the Mediter- 
ranean mails; thence to Cadiz or some 
other Spanish port, to be desio-nated by 
tlie Secretary of the Navy ; "thence to 
Lisbon ; thence to Brest, or some other 
hrencix port, to be designated as above • 
thence to London and back to tlie place of 
departure, bringing and ca^•^•ing the 
mails to and from said ports. ' 

The siiid contractors shall further ao-ree 
to carry to Liberia so many emigrants, 
heing free persons of color, and not ex- 
ceeding twenty-five hundred fbr cadi 
voyage, as the American Colonization 
bociety may require, upon the payment 
by said Socii^ty of ten dollars Ibr each 
emigrant over twelve years of age. and 
five dollars fbr each one under thatao-e • 
these sum.s, respectivelv, to include "all 
charges for baggage of emigrants and 
tlie daily supply of sailors' rations. The 
contractors, also, to carrv, bring back 
and accommodate, free from charo-e all 
necessary agents of the said SocietyT ' 

The Secretary of the Navy shall further 
stipulate to advance to said contractors as 
tin; budding of said ships shall progress 
two-thirds of the amoinit expended tliere- 
on; such advances to be mtide in the 
bonds of the United States payable thirty 
years alter date, and bearing tive j)er cent 
interest, and not to exceed six Imndred 
thousand dollars fbr each ship. And the 
said contractors shall stipulate to repay 
tlie said advances in equal annual install- 
aients. with interest iVoin the date ol the 
completion of said .sliip.s until the termi- 
nation of the contract, which shall continue 



17 



fifteen years from the coiaraencement of 
the service. The Secretary of the Navy 
to require ample security Tor the faithful 
performance of the contract, and to reserve 
a lien upon the ships for the sums advanced. 
The Government to pay said contractors 
forty thousand dollars for each trip, or four 
hundred and eighty thousand dollars per 
annum 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That 
the President of the United States shall 
cause to be issued the bonds of the United 
States, as the same raa3^ from time to 
to time, be required by the Secretary of 
the Navy to carry out the contract afore- 
said. 



LETTER FROM HON. T. BUTLER 
KING 

to hon. f. p. stanton, on the report 
of naval committee. 

House of Representatives 
September 10, 1850. 
Dear Sir : — I take the libert}^ of sending 
you a copy of the Report of the Naval Com- 
mittee of the House, proposinga line of steam- 
ers to the coast of Africa. Your long ex- 
perience on this committee, and at its head, 
will enable you to judge, far more correctly 
than I can, of the policy of the measure, and 
especially of the details of the bill. If you 
can find sufficient leisure, I will esteem it a 
favor to receive from you any suggestions 
which may occur to your mind, either fii- 
vorable or unfavorable to the bill in question. 
I am, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
FRED. P. STANTON. 
Hon. T. Butler King, present. 



Washington, September 10, 1850. 
Dear Sir : — I have had the honor to re- 
ceive your letter of this date, and also your 
report, proposing a line of steamers to Africa, 
which I have read with great interest. Tlie 
subjects of which it treats are, in my opin- 
ion, of the utmost importance to our whole 
country. No one, I suppose, will hesitate 
to admit the necessity of a steam na-\y, if 
we intend, in the event of war, to protect 
our commerce, or defend our sea-coast from 
ruinous blockades and actual invasion. 
There is as little doubt of the expediency of 
colonizing the free colored people of the 
United States on the coast of Africa. If any 
one hesitates to believe this, let him read the 
opinions of Jefferson, Madison, ^lonroe, 
Marshall, and a. host of others in favor of 



colonization ; let him also icflcrt, fur a mo- 
ment, on the magnituflf of the evil which 
nuist inevital)ly attend tlie vast in(Tca.sc and 
permanent estahlishmcnt of a mixed race 
among us ; es[)fcially in the slave-holding 
States. Your measure, in a most statesman- 
like manner, proposes to employ steamships 
of the largest class, Avhich may at any mo- 
ment be converted into war-steamers, in the 
removal of free negroes and colored people 
from the United States to the coast of Africa ; 
thus employing the means of defence which 
modern inventions and improvements have 
rendered necessary to our security, in re- 
moving an evil which threatens to degrade 
our race, and to 1)e the cause of much an- 
noyance, and perhaps, in some instances, of 
danger to the slaveholding States. 

AVith respect to the wisdom of the policy 
of your measure, as connected witli our com- 
merce and national defence, there cannot be, 
in my judgment, the least doubt or question. 
In tile progress of mai-itime powers, it is 
([uite evident that whatever inventions and 
improvements may be successfully adopted 
by one in naval armaments or commercial 
intercourse, must be employed by all who 
would compete with her. It will not be 
denied that the United States arc the rival 
of Great Britain on the ocean, and that we 
must either lead or follow in those improve- 
ments, or yield our commerce to support her 
power. Before the employment of steam in 
ocean navigation, our mercantile marine had 
attained a most decided superiority over hers, 
in the sea-going qualities of our ships, and 
in the activity, integrity, and intelligence of 
our commanders and crews. The conse- 
quence was that our lines of packet-ships put 
down all competition in the conveyance of 
passengers, correspondence, and valuable 
freight ; and there was not such a thing 
known as a packet-ship from any other 
country entering our ports. This was the 
evidence of what we could accomplish under 
the old system in the event of war. The 
introduction of steam gave her the means, as 
was supposed, to reverse this state of things. 
She was the first to test its power and utility 
in naval warfare, and in the carrying trade. 
The skill of her engineers and mechanics, 
their experience in the construction of steam 
machinery, her vast expenditures for naval 
purposes." and the great wealth of her mer- 
chants, seemed for a time to bid defiance to 
all competition. 

She soon constructed a powerful steam 
navy, and by uniting a very large amount 
of government ex])enditure M-ith private en- 
terprise, has extended her steam mail-p.acket 
system to all parts of the "iN'orld. This mode 



IS 



of creating ii 5;team uavy slie appears most 
nuxious to encDUi-asre and protect, for the 
rea.<on that it is desijrneil to put down all 
competition in tlie carrvinoj trade, and tilti- 
mately to support itself on. and to control, 
the coranuire of all nations. There cannot 
be a doubl that the money annuall}- paid foi- 
tlie conveyance of letters and other mailable 
matter at sea, by passengers and for freight 
on package goods, is amply sufficient to sup- 
port a steam navy powerful enough to crush 
all the sailing navies of the present day ; and 
such are the laws of trade and commercial 
intercourse, that steam-packets arc taking 
the place of sailing sliips in all l>ranches of 
commerce. Whatever one merchant can do 
in the i)rosecution of his business, with cer- 
tainty, cderity. and y^ro/j'/. all others must 
do wiio attempt to compete with him. 

If an impoiter in the city of New York 
orders his goods from Liverjjool to be sent 
in a steamer, and receives them within twelve 
days after they ha\e been shipped, and his 
competitors employ sailing ships which arc 
thirty days on the passage, he who has re- 
ceived his supplies by the steamer not only 
saves eighteen days' interest on liis money, 
but sujjijlies the market, and performs this 
operation nearly three times, while his lazy 
neiglibors arc attempting to do it once. 
This process would soon enrich the man who 
employs steam, and impoverish those who 
move by sails. These remarks apply, of 
course, to tlie valuable package-goods trade, 
articles of modes, etc., itc. which pay high 
freights and are most valued in their treason. 
So it is with passengers and the mails. No 
man thinks now of taking passage in. or | 
sending letters })y, a sailing packet, if there 
is a steamer on the same route. The whole 
travel and corres|iondence, therefore, of the 
world, by sea, is rapidlj^ passing into steam- 
ships. These are the laws, also, which go- 
vern connnunications on land. AVhilc w^e 
are urging the importance of cheap postage. 
and complain at jjaying ten cents on a .sheet 
of letter-jjaper, we are daily sending tele- 
gi-aphic despatches which cost that sum for 
oveiy word. 

In the process of examining all the con- 
siderations connected with oci-an steam 
navigation, it was a.'-certained th.it a ^loumcr. 
to rcnist f!i/ccrsyfi/llij miil safi'li/ the rfl'ccls 
of a lifdvy sea liriveii by a head u-iiirl. 
'must hf built slroiifrenoiif^h to carry ^nois. 
;inrl wilhstaji'l the di.scharge ofalialtery; 
and, therefore, all ships of that description 
might be employed for the two great jjur- 
jmses of connnerce and war. To construct 
sjiiling ships for the merdiant service. ,so as 
to make them suitable for war purposes. 



would .so increase their cost and load them 
with timber as to render it impossible for 
them to compete, in tlie carrying trade, 
with vessels of the ordinary construction. 
This is the reason why the mercantile 
marine has not been regarded as of much 
value for naval purposes. If, then, in the 
progcss of events, a steam navy has become 
necessary to our position and safety, as a 
great commercial nation, and for the pro- 
tection and security of our extensive coasts, 
embracing the shores of the Atlantic from 
the St.Croix to the southern jioint of Florida, 
more than three-fourths of the Gulf of 
JMexico, and seventeen degrees of latitude in 
the Pacific, which cannot be defended 
against a fleet of armed steamers by anj-- 
system of fortifications which the skill of 
man could devise or the wealth of the nation 
establish; it becomes proper to consider 
what course of policy will, at the least ex- 
pense, produce what we require. In the 
tii'st place, we must take into view the fact 
that at least two years are required to con- 
struct the macliineiy of a war-steamer of 
the first class, and place it in the ship. If, 
therefore, we wait until war .shall actually 
lune commenced, before we prepare the 
machinery for a steam navy, we must ex- 
pect to suffer all the disasters which an en- 
terprising enemy may inflict upon us during 
the time required to enable us to meet him 
with a force similar to his own. If we 
attempt to proceed now to the construction 
of a steam navy as ]iov,-erf'iil as we should 
require in a state of war. the expenditure 
would be much greater than Congress or 
the country would permit. 

lUit suppose the money should bo appro- 
priated and the ships built, the probability 
is, they would decay, or require a, sum 
equal to their original cost to keep them in 
repair, and their machinery would be ren- 
dered valueless by new improvements and 
iiiventi(nis, before they would be required 
in actual war. The changes which are con- 
stantly taking place in steam machinery 
render it inex|)C(licnt to waste money in 
{ireparing it until it is required for actual 
u.se; ,M) it will be perceived that there are 
such great and striking peculiarities attend- 
ing the maintenance of a steam navy in time 
of peace, that if a course of jiolicy can be 
pursued which will give us an ample sup])ly 
of that descri])tion of force at a conqiara- 
tively small cost, it would .seem wise to 
adopt it. Such 1 believe to be the policy 
which has been extensively adopted by 
(Jreat IJritain. and. to a limited extent, by 
our own (iovernment. of combining govern- 
ment expenditure with private enterprise 



19 



in the establishment of lines of mail 
steamers, so constructed as to be available 
at all times for war purposes ; to be kept in 
commission, and all improvements in 
machiner}'^ adopted, at the expense of the 
contractors, until finally, in the progress of 
events, it shall be able to support itself. 

I am aware it has been urged that this 
system should be left entirely to individual 
enterprise. It is possible that the skill and 
energy of our merchants may have accom- 
plished sometliing in that way, if thej* had 
only to contend against the capital and 
efforts of individuals, but that is not the 
case; the government of Great Britain has 
come forward in such a spirit as to leave no 
doubt or question that she has adopted the 
system as being vital to her commercial and 
naval supremacy, and consequently it would 
be folly, if not madness, to suppose that our 
merchants can compete, unaided, with such 
antagonists. This system, as far as it has 
been adopted by our Clovernment, has 
worked well. The line on the Pacific from 
Panama to San Francisco, most fortunately, 
went into operation soon after the discovery 
of gold in California, and served a most 
valuable purpose in keeping up a regiUar 
communication with that distant territory 
at a most critical and important period, in 
conveying emigrants to it, and in affording a 
safe and speedy means of conveyance for 
large quantities of gold to the Atlantic 
States. 

The advantages thus derived to the country 
from the estaiblishment of this line, and the 
one from New York to New Orleans which 
connects with it at the Isthmus, cannot well 
be estimated in dollars and cents. The line 
from New York to New Orleans has per- 
formed another important achievement. It 
has accomplished what was designed in its 
establishment. It has caused the with- 
drawal of the British West India line of 
fourteen steamers, which received twelve 
hundred thousand dollars a year from the 
government, and was bound by contract to 
touch at Havana, the ports of ]\Iexico on the 
Gulf, at New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah. 
Chai'leston, and was intended to convey to 
and from those ports passengers, the mails, 
and freight, and for a powerful fleet, in the 
event of war, to act on our southern coast. 
The New York and New Orleans line was 
intended to act as a guard for our southern 
coast, and to cut off this British line from 
our southern ports, by connecting with the 
European lines at New York, and affording 
a more speedy communication south than 
that through the West Indies. This has 
been effected, and the British line has been 



withdrawn. 'J'lic wharves and coal belong- 
ing to tlie British company in Havana have 
been sold, and purcliased i)y the New York 
company. 

It is believed that the two lines which 
form a direct comimmication from our 
Atlantic and Gulf ports to California and 
Oregon, are already paying into the 
Treasury, in the form of postage, an 
amount quite equal to that which they 
receive, under their contracts, from the 
riovcrnment, so that this branch of the 
system sustains itself. The New York 
and Liverpool line has recent])' gone into 
operation, and has already achieved a 
brilliant triumph over its British com- 
petitor, which gives the most perfect con- 
fidence of its future success. It cannot be 
doubted, therefore, that Congress ami tho 
country have cause to be satisfied with, and 
proud of this system, as far as it has been 
adopted. It has accomplished more than its 
friends promised for it. 

The most important and interesting feature 
of the measure presented by you, is that 
which proposes the colonization of the free 
colored people of the United States on the 
coast of Africa. Of all tlic plans which have 
heretofore, from time to time, been suggested, 
to effect this most important object, no one 
has combined such elements of success. Con- 
necting itself with our naval preparations 
and the extension of our commercial mter- 
course, for the removal of an acknow- 
ledged evil, one would suppose it must 
receive the support of patriotic men of all 
sections, and of all parties. 

So much has been said and written by the 
ablest men of our country in favor of 
colonization, that it would seem super- 
fluous to attempt to add one word to the 
mass of argument which has long since been 
laid before the public. We cannot, however, 
shut our eyes to the progress of an evil 
Avhich threatens the most serious conse- 
quences to our country, and which, if not 
removed, must produce among us all the 
degrading influences of a mixed race. To 
the slaveholding States, this is a question 
of the most vital importance. I have lon£» 
since been of opinion that their welfare and 
safety imperiously demanded the removal of 
all free negroes and colored persons from 
their borders, and this policy. I have reason 
to believe, would have been adopted, but for 
the difficulty of pro\iding for them a cheap 
and convenient mode of removal, and a 
comfortable home. Your plan obviates these 
objections. Mo.st of the difficulties which 
have arisen in slaveholding countries have 
been planned and encouraged by free colored 



20 



people. Partaking of the intelligence of the 
vhitc race, they are compelled to associate 
with the black. Being iiUc and vicious in 
their habits, they desire to possess the com- 
forts which they have not the honest indus- 
try to acquire, and are at all times ready to 
employ the misguided slaves to accom- 
plish their diabolical purposes. The in- 
crease of these free colored people in our 
southern towns and cities has already be- 
come a most serious evil, and a perfect 
nuisance. Their speedy removal is demand- 
ed by every consideration connected with 
our progress and safety. 

It is a well established principle, that the 
white and black races cannot exist together 
on terms of equality and fratcrnit3\ With 
us. the black race must remain in subjection 
to the white, or be exterminated. The 
slaves cannot be removed, but the free ne- 
groes and colored people can be. and the se- 
curity of both master and servant promoted. 
The colonization of those people on the coast 
of Africa, I cannot doubt, will accomplish 
all in the ci\'ilization and christianization of 
the native tribes that has been predicted by 
,, those who have written most ably on the 
subject. The increase of population which 
■would soon take place on the African coast, 
bv carr3'ing the measure proposed by you 
into ellect, would soon open an extensive 
traffic with the populous and fertile districts 
of the interior, and the commerce which 
would thus spring up would be much more 
profitable to the natives than the slave trade. 
which, in the progress of civilization, would 
necessarily be discontinued. 

I have examined with much care the bill 
accompanying your report ; its provisions 
are well guarded and j)crfectly practicable. 
The size of the steamers to be employed, 
four thousand tons burthen, is a great desi- 
deratiirn, whether considered in connexion 
with our naval or commercial marine. All 
persons connected with ocean steam naviga- 
tion are beginning to appreciate the great 
superiority, in all resi)ects. of large steamers 
over small ones. The British builders com- 
menced with twelve and thirteen hundred 
tons. They have now got up to twentv-two 
hundred, and will soon follow ours to three 
thousand and f<iur thousand. The price you 
propose to pay. when considered in connexion 
with the nature of the .service to be per- 
formed, must be regarded as sufficiently 
raoilenite. I'hc Cunard line between Liver- 
j)Ool and New York receives $725,000. or 
about SIHl.OOfl for each steamer, from the 
(Jovernmcnt, j)er aniiiim. The.se steamers. 
since the Asia anfl Africa were placed on the 
line, average about two thousand tons each. 



Your steamers are to he twice the size of 
these, or four thousand tons each, for which 
you propose to allow $160,000 per annum 
from (lovernnient. The Cunard line is on 
the great thoroughfare between Europe and 
America, over which passes most of the 
valuable freight to this country. Your 
steamers are to go over an untried route, 
where, for .some time at least, there can be 
but little pro-spect of remuneration, except 
what may be received from Government 
and passengers. In view of these facts, I 
am satisfied that the amount stipulated in 
your bill to be paid to the proposed line cart- 
not be considered as more than one-half the 
compensation paid to Mr. Cunard. 

The annual cost, as stated hy the Xavy 
Department, of a war-steamer of the first 
class, in commission, with but 90 days' 
coal, is - - - - $190,600 

If we add to this sum the cost of 
coal to supply her the other 17.5 
davs, as calculated for the 90 



days 



•5.600 



TVe have a total expense, per 

annum, of - - - $266,200 
These steamers are but 1,800 tons burthen. 
You propose to keep in commission, and at 
all times prepared for the use of the Govern- 
ment, steamers of 4,000, for less than two- 
thirds of that sum, and in the mean time to 
employ them in a most important service, 
and in extending our commerce. I there- 
fore hope your measure may meet the ap- 
probation of Congress, as I feel assured it 
will of the gi'cat mass of the people of all 
.sections of the country. 
I am, with great respect. 

Very trulv yours, 

T. BUTLER KING. 
Hon. F. P. Sta.ntox, &c., &c., 

House of Representatives. 



LETTER FROM T.J. DURANT, Esa., 

OF NEW ORLEANS, IN FAVOR OF THE REPORT 
OF THE NAVAL COM.MITTEE, AND IN RE- 
PLY TO A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THE 
COMMERCIAL BDLLETIN. NEW ORLEANS. 

Washington, September 12, 1850. 
To the editor of the Commercial Bulletin, 
New-Orleans. 
Mr. Editor : I have just seen three 
articles from recent numbers of your 
journal, ill which you comment at large 
oil the "report of the Naval Committee 
to the House of Ilepreseiitativcs in iavor 
of the cstfihlishmcnt of a line of steam- 



21 



ships to the western coast of Africa," sub- 
mitted by the Hon. Frederick P. Stanton, 
of Tennessee, chairman, on tht: 1st August, 
1850. The main features of the report 
and its recommendations met with my 
hearty concurrence ; and I now desire to 
submit to you some of the reasons which 
induce me to support the measure, and at 
the same time to address myself to certain 
objections which you urge in your articles 
against the plan. Fully to appreciate 
this measure, it is nesessary to takt; a view 
of the whole scope and nature of tiiis great 
project. 

Those Avho support this undertalcing 
design '' to promote the emigration of free 
persons of color from the United States to 
Liberia, to increase the steam navy, and 
to extend the commerce of tlie United 
States," while you, sir, seem to entertain 
the opinion that not one of these objects 
can be attained by the proposed means. — 
One or the other of us. then, must be en- 
tirely in the wrong ; for I do not hesitate 
to assert that all of these objects can be 
advanced in an eminent degree by the 
means proposed ; and although the report 
of the Naval Committee itself is fruitful 
in facts and arrangements sustaining my 
position, yet, as tlie document does not 
appear in your articles to have commanded 
such a share of your attention as. fi'om an 
impartial commentator, it certainly de- 
served, I will briefly review the objections 
which you have urged. 

Your article of 20th August last requires 
but a very brief notice, inasmuch as it con- 
sists chiefly of strictures upon the original 
memorial of the projectors, which did not 
specify ho^v the home voyage was to be 
made, and contained, moreover, a variety 
of particulars that the committee thought 
fit to reject ; yet I find you mix up these 
rejected particulars with the report itsel f 
in such a way as to present a strange 
and unintelligible mass, calculated to be- 
Avilder your readers, and induce them to 
believe that the Naval Committee had 
reported in favor of an impracticable 
project. 

In this first article you assert that it is 
proposed to carry in each ship on each 
voyage 4,000 negroes — the fact being that 
the estimate is 2..500, althougla it is true 
that the memorialists proposed to build 
ships capable of carrying 4,000 tran.y)orts, 
on their being fitted up in war time for 
that purpose. The next point is, that the 
cost of the ships would be considerably 
below the estimate, and it is inferred that 
the contractors would pocket the balance. 



Tliis blunder proceeds from tlie erroneous 
assumption tliat the Government is to pay 
lor the i)uiUiing of tlie ships ; wliereas tlie. 
truth is. that the contractors are to build 
them at their own expense, and the Gov- 
ernment is only to loan a portion of the 
the monej' on mortgage, in the sam<; way 
as it has done to the contractors of the 
New-York and Liverpof)l and other lines 
of mail steamers. All the comments in 
your article of 20tli August are a» un- 
ibundetl as this on the subject of the cost 
of the ships. Thus the very next ob- 
jection is that, according to the compen- 
sation fixed by the committee — ^lO.OOO 
per voyage — the pay will be about $400 
tor each letter. This calculation is founded 
upon the idea that the only postage to be 
received is for the Liberia mails. The 
postage on the homeward voyage, via the 
Mediterranean, Spain, Portugal, France, 
and England, is reckonedby you atnothing. 
I, on the contrary, hazard the o])inion that 
this postage will, for the first five years, 
pay probably half the Grovernment allow- 
ance, and afterwards the whole of it. 

Your article goes on to object to the 
terms proposed by the memorialists with 
respect to the amount to be paid by the 
Government for the ships if taken for 
war pur])oses. and also to the commercial 
privileges demanded for the steamers in 
the trade with Liiieria. As the price to 
be paid for the ships, the committee re- 
commend that it should be the actual value, 
(not in any event, however, to exceed the 
cost,) and they report against any special 
eomraercial privileges, preferring that the 
remuneration for the services rendered 
should be direct. Of course the memo- 
rialists Avould have been willing to receive 
less than ^40,000 per trip, if they had got 
the privilege asked for ; and there can be 
discovered no reason whatever for the 
parade made in your article about the por- 
tion of the memorial referring to this 
point. 

In the next article (that of the 23d 
August) you very properly state that the 
report of the Naval Committee omits the 
various matters you object to, as above 
mentioned ; but you contend that the line 
ought not to be established, because the re- 
venue from postage would be a mere 
nothing. " Who," you ask, '• would think 
of sending letters to the Mediterranean, 
Spain. France, and England by steamers 
going to Liberia'? The mere suggestion 
of it\'xhibits a most lamentable ignorance 
of the whole course of trade and corres- 
pondence of the country, ajid of the ex- 



idling facilities for the latter. Even sailing 
vessels would take them to all of those 
points in less time."' &c. 

Unfortunately for tlie reproof intended 
by your charge of ••lamentable ignorance." 
it is not expected tluit any thijig will be 
received for letters mailed in the United 
States to go beyond Lisbon; but. upon 
reaching Liberia, all mail matter for and 
between the intermediate ports, as tar as 
London and back to the United States, 
will be conveyed. As to the mails to and 
from Liberia, the committee look iipon tliem 
us being so important liiat no allusion is 
made to any amount of revenue whatevt;r 
as expected from that source, although it 
is prooable that the Liberia mails will ere 
long yield as much (jr more than the Oregon 
mails at the present moment. It is easy 
to conjure up such imaginary projKjsitions, 
and expose their futility, but it would not 
be quite so e;iey to refute the rea.soning ot" 
the report. 

After dwelling upon and enforcing the 
objection to the conveyance of the mails 
from the United States to London, &c.. 
via Liberia, you proceed to say that '■ tlie 
same objection, though in a less degree, 
would exist against any large return mail, 
when leaving London, either from conti- 
nental or British correspondents, as a pas- 
sage from that port would always be longer 
than from Liverpool, I'rom whence there 
is already a weekly steanjer." 

To me it appears, on the contrary, that 
the steamer leaving London would bring 
the letters lying at the London post otllce, 
even though they could be forwarded 
two or three days afterwards by the 
weekly steamer from Liverpool to New 
York. And no rea.son can be seen to doubt 
that these American steamers would bring 
to Londo.'i, and to all intermediate ports at 
whicii they might stop, the Mediterranean 
mails ready and waiting at the time of 
their resjHictive arrivals. They would 
also bring to this country direct all the 
mails from the various (continental ports. 

You are pleiised to ridicule the idea 
tiiat these steamers ••should be running 
from port to port — Gibraltar to Cadiz, Ca- 
(hz to Lisbon, Lisbon to Brest. Brest to 
London ;" and you infiuir<.' '• what quantity 
or kind of freiglit could these steamers ex- 
pect t<j receive at Giliraltar, Cadiz. Lisbon, 
and Brest lor the United States ?" The 
bare j)utting uf the question shows that 
you have not carefullyconsidered the whole 
subject. You might as well ask, what 
freights can the steamers bring iVom Bre- 
men or Liverjiool? Supjwise the ships 



run to Havre in lieu of Brest — and the 
words of the report are to Brest "or some 
other port of France, to be designated," 
&,r. — would you still inquire what freight 
could t)e brought from tliat port? That 
is a matter lor the consideration of the 
coiitractor.s. and they understand their own 
interest well enough to go to such ports in 
France as give them most profits. 

You are disj)osed, sir, to be c^uite fa- 
cetious on the subject of the proposed 
steamers running into so many ports, and 
suj)})o.se tliat the committee calculate on a 
-coasting trade" between them. It is 
quite probable that the contractors would 
prefer running .straight from Liberia to 
Havre, antl thence to New Orleans; but 
it is part of the great scheme contem- 
plated by the committee to afford additional 
iiicilities lo our connnercial operators with 
the Mediterranean and the peninsula. 

The Boston Pof^L a paper well-informed 
on commercial questions, observes: 

•' It is not our communication with the 
coast of AlHca alone that is to be benefited 
by this line of steamers. The trade of the 
Mediterranean, yearly increasing in value 
and importance, is thus to be be brought 
under the influence of steam. Entering 
the straits of Gibraltar, the line oflers an 
opportunity for American enterprise to 
connect with the fast and commodious 
boats fitted to take; the circuit from Mar- 
seilles to Constantinople and Smyrna, and 
along the African coast again to Gibraltar. 
* * Tlie value of this trade should not 
be overhjoked. The American and foreign 
tonnage between this sea and the United 
States during tlie last year, entering and 
clearing, was 208,703 tons. The exports 
from the United States to this region 
amounted to $6,963,601, and, as near as 
can be ascerfiiined, the imports to $5,077,- 
110. The equalizing despatch of steam 
navigation, applied to this trade, must 
necessarily increase its value to u.s. and 
create a new stimulus for its growth there. 
The benefits to he. derived from immediate 
comiexion with lliis trade can hardly be 
over-estimated ; and where our steamers 
go, there go our national influences." 

A Liverj)ool company has just been 
formed to run fifieen steamers on the Med- 
iterranean, .some ol' which are to run up 
to Constantinople. You will readily see 
that although an iinmen.se trade may be 
opened up belvveeu our country, the Med- 
iterranean, and llie peninsula ol' Europe, 
great lo.ss woultl bt; sustaincil, in the first 
instance, by those who might attempt to 
establish an inde])endent line of ocean 



•j;j 



steamers for tli.it purpose. Frivalo indi- 
viduals would regard solely the existin.if 
trade, and not what miglu Im; .secur(^<l after 
year.s of toil and 'loss. Uidess, therefore, 
we avail ourselves of tlie homeward voyage 
of these African steamers to lay the ioua- 
dations of a direct trade with the important 
points indicated, avc may go on lor an in- 
definite period iinder our ])rescnt depen 
dence u})on the steamships of Great 
Britain. Thecommittee have, in requiring 
the African steamers to ficihtate oin- in- 
tercourse Avith the Mediterranean, and 
with Spain and Portugal, looked at once 
to the extension and independence of oni- 
commerce. 

You further observe, sir, that only 7,000 
emigrants have gone to Liberia in thirty 
years, and you inquire wliere 18,000 per 
annum are to come from. There is no 
better answer to this question tlian to 
quote the following passage from the re- 
port of the Naval Committee itself, which 
contains a full and satisfactory solution of 
your difficulty on this point ; 

" That the free negroes of the United 
States will be induced to go in large num- 
bers to Liberia, if a quick and pleasant 
passage by steam vessels be provided, and 
suitable preparation be made for them on 
their arrival, by the Colonization Society, 
cannot admit of any doubt. 

" The funds of that society, augmented 
probably twenty-fold, will then be availa- 
ble, almost exclusivelj', ibr the comtbrtable 
establishment ol the emigrants in their 
new homes — the expense of transportation 
chargeable to the society being merely 
nominal. 

'• It is estimated that there are no less 
than 500,000 free colored people in the 
several States, and that the annual in- 
crease therein of the black race is 70,000 
per annum. With respect to slaves who 
may hereafter be manumitted, no douhl 
such manumission will almost in every in- 
stance be upon the condition that tht; ])[u-- 
ties shall avail themselves of the oppor- 
tunity of emigrating to Liberia. 

" The committee do not propose that 
the emigrants should be landed in Liberia 
and then left to their own resources. Li- 
beria is at present incapable of receiving 
and providing shelter, subsistence and em- 
ployment for any great number of emi- 
grants who may land there in a state of 
destitution. It has been the practice, 
heretofore, for the Colonization Society to 
provide for the colonists whom they have 
sent out, for six months at'ter their arrival, 
and the cost of such jirovision has averag- 



ed $30 per head, in a(l(h(iuii lu the cost of 
transportalion. 

'' A large; aniDunt ol' money will be re- 
quired to Hctlle the colonists in tht; first in- 
stance comfortably in their new liomcK. 
But there is no doubl that, if the Govern- 
ment establish the jjroposed line of steam- 
ships, the people of the dilii-rent states, and 
the State Legislatures, will at once turn 
their attention to the subject of coloniza- 
tion, and that largt; appropriations will be 
voted and liberal collections made in aid 
of that object. The State of Mary- 
land has already apj)ropriiited and laid out 
1200.000 in this work, and the Legislature 
of Virginia has lately appropriated 9iUl- 
000 per year for the same purpose. Hut 
these sums are iusignilicant in comparison 
with what maybe exjjected if the Guvern- 
ment shall give its high sanction to the 
colonization of Africa, and provide the 
means of tran.sportation by a line of steam- 
ships. In that event, the whole mass of 
the people. North and South, who for the 
most j)art do not appreciate the ra])id pro- 
gress and tlie high capabilities of Liberia, 
will quickly disc(wer the vast importiincu 
of colonization, and will urge their rej)re- 
sentatives to adopt measures adequate to 
the exigency oi' the case and the magni- 
tude of the enterprise. 

" There is good reason to anticipate that 
important .assistance will be rendered to 
the emigrants, not only by the missionary 
societies of Europe, but also by those 
governments Avhich have taken an interest 
in the suppression of the slave trade, and 
which are desirous of opening channels 
for their commerce, and marts for their 
manufactures, on the western coa.st of 
Africa. 

•' It is estimated that by the time when 
the first two ships are to be finished and 
ready tor sea, there will be a large body of 
emigrants ready to take passage in thehi, 
and that lor the, next two years each ship 
will take Irom 1,000 to 1,500 passengers on 
each voyage, or li-om 8.000 to 12.000 in 
each of' those years. To furnish each 
family, intending to devote themselves to 
agricultural pursuits, with a dwelling-^ 
house suitably furnished, and a piece of 
land of sufficient extent cleared and ])lant- 
ed, together with the necessary agricultur- 
ar implements and a stock of provisions, 
will, it is calculated, cost the society a sum 
equal to $30 or $iO per head lor each emi- 
grant, allowing each family to consist of 
five persons. ' The cost of establishing 
families intending to follow trading and 
mechanical pursuits will be somewhat less 



'J 4 



than the abovf estimate for agiicuUuial 
t'aniilies ; but the averaj<-e cost lor the 
whole of the en)ii;raiits may be cstimateil 
at S50 per head, including ail the expenses 
of transportation ; making a total of from 
$100,000 to $600,000 per annum for the 
first tiro years. 

'• A.s the colony increases in population, 
and the interior of the country iiecomes 
settled, luiy number of emigrants that may 
be sent out will be readily absorbed, as 
there will be a demand lor all kind.-; of la- 
borers, mechanics, and domestic servants, 
and it will be unnecessary to make that 
provision for them Avhich is now indispens- 
able. 

'•The Colonization Society will, a.s here- 
tofore, so regulate the emigration as to 
send out only suitable persons, and keep 
up a due proportion between the two 
sexes." 

But you contend, sir, that these ships 
'• must relinquish all hopes of having white 
pas.sengers. even on their return trips from 
London. Not only would the apprehen- 
sion of disease prevent respectable persons 
I'rom embarking in ves.sels which so recent- 
ly had been occupied as ' negro-pe7is,' 
but the whole interior arrangements — 
berths and state-rooms — must be on a dil- 
lerent plan Ibi- the accommodation oi such 
outward-bound passengers."' 

The design of the contractors it is be- 
lieved, is to bring second-class emigrants 
I'rom London, and, Avilh a proper attention 
to cleanliness. &v.. no objection would be 
likely to arise from that quarter. As to 
the accommodation of tlie colored emi- 
grants, a ibur thousand-ton ship could ac- 
commodate very comfortably, and without 
the use of " negro-pens." as many as con- 
templated by the committee. 

In your third and last article on this sub- 
ject, you endeavor to .show differences in 
material points iietween the action of the 
British government, in establishing lines 
oi" mail steamers to <li(i'erent parts of the 
world, and the proposed action of our own 
government. In the first place, it is ob- 
served that the B^iti^^il government "makes 
no advances towards building the vessels, 
all of whicii an; constructed at the exclu- 
sive cost and ri.sk of the proprietors; and 
on certain conditions as to the size, con- 
struction, and kind oi" ves.sels. the govern- 
ment agrees to pay certain specified sums 
fr)r the convi.'yance of the mails by them."' 
In this you have been misinformed ; for I 
have satisl'actorv evidence that tin; British 
government did advance money to as,sist 
in building the West India mail steamers. 



But were you correct, the only difference 
in the two cases would be that our govern- 
ment is called upon to loan its credit, pay- 
able thirty years after date ; the loans to 
be expended on the ships, under the super- 
intendence of a government constructor — 
such loans to be advanced from time to 
time as the building of the ships progress- 
es, and to be secured by a lien on them, 
according to the precedent established in 
the contracts made under the act of Con- 
gress pas.sed in 1847. To this no valid ob- 
jection can be .seen. The fact that British 
capitalists are rich enough to require no 
such assistance is perfectly immaterial to 
us. The single question "is. whether the 
government would sustain any loss by 
making .such advances ; and. believing 
that it would not, this mode of encourag- 
ing the enterprise seems to be without ob- 
jection. 

Proceeding further with the parallel 
between the project in question and the 
British govertmient contracts, you observe 
that the whole of the British lines '-great- 
ly facilitate the commercial operations of 
Great Britain, and afford vast and valu- 
able facilities in every way." 

Now, for the purpose of securing the 
like important advantages to this country, 
.should we not favor the establi.shment of 
the proposed line, as recommended by the 
Naval Committee — and although the sub- 
ject of colonization may be regarded as of 
])aramount importance, involving as it 
doi-'S the abolition of the slave-trade, the 
diff'usion of Christianity and civilization 
throughout the contment of Africa, and 
the emigration of a class of persons 
who.se presence is not too desirable in our 
co\intry — the commercial reasons above 
may be deemed sulficient for the project in 
question. 

Speaking of the British lines, you fur- 
ther say : 

•• These lines, at the pre.sent moment, 
fully reimburse the Government Jbr all 
their outlay by the receipts for the pos- 
tage alone, and the Cunard line affords 
even a very large surplus to the reve- 
nue." 

Although the Cunard line may at the 
present time yield a surplu.^. enjoying as 
it does, and will for a short time longer, 
almosta mono])oly of tlie postage between 
Entrland and the United State.s. yet it is 
by no means true that all the lines i'ully 
reimburse the government. The West 
India line, for example, is very expensive, 
and the postage but trifling. Again: a 
contract has lately been entered into for 



125 



a line from England lo Bmzil, and no one 
can suppose that the postage will pay one 
twentieth part of the government expen- 
ses. Indeed, it appears that the postage 
is quite a secondary consideration v/ith 
the British government in entering into 
these contracts. The principal objects 
are the creation of a reserved steam navy 
to be called into the public .service when 
required, and in the mean time to afford 
those lacilities to commercial operations 
which you seem to admire so much when 
the country to he benefitted is Great Bri- 
tain, but cannot see their importance to 
our own. Tiie truth is, that no country 
can afford to keep in actual service a very 
great number ol war steamers — the ex- 
penses are enormous ; and hence even 
England resorts to a cheap mode of pro- 
viding and using, in time of peace, these 
formidable instruments of war. The re- 
gular steam navy of France is almost 
equal to that of England : but the latter 
places full reliance, and no doubt with 
good reason, upon her fleets of war steam 
ers carrying mails. 

Upon this subject there is a great differ- 
ence of opinion between yourself and the 
British government. 

You think it best to postpone the build- 
ing of war-steamers until the exigency for 
their use actually arrives. You think, 
too, that great and expensive alterations 
would be required to convert mail-steam- 
ers into war-steamers, if the change could 
be effected at all, which you seem to 
doubt. You speak of the rapidity with 
which sliips Avere built on the lakes in the 
last w'ar, and think that ocean war-steam- 
ers could be got readj- as soon. On the 
other hand, the opinion of the British go- 
vernment is, that it is expedient to estab- 
lish lines of mail-steamers wherever 
important facilities can be afforded to 
commercial operations, such sliips being 
built so as to be easily convertible into 
Avar-steamers. It is to be expected that 
the enginc(;rs, firemen, and crews will, for 
the most part, remain with the ships 
when they shall be called into the public 
service, and no doubt this expectation is 
well founded. England has upwards ol' 
one hundred and twenty war-steamers 
afloat carrying mails, and she is constantly 
increasing the number. These ships are 
strongly built, ami well adapted to pur- 
poses oi' war; and although you seem to 
consider that those noble ships — the Ohio 
and Georgia — are not so, yet I have too 
much faith in the Government constructor, 
under whose inspection they were bviilt, to 



attach any importance to tliat opinioD. — 
We have the report^ too, of Commodore 
Perry, who was intrusted by tin- iN'avy 
Department with thegencral superintend- 
ence of this business, that these vessels, as 
well as the Atlantic and Pacific, can, at a 
small expcn.se, be converted into war- 
steamere. I willingly set such opinions 
against those you have exprc8.sed, and 
confidently maintain that we can build 
war-steamers — using them to carry the 
mails in time of jjcacc — ju>t as easily and 
as well as Great Britain. 

You think tiiat we do not want any 
more mail-steamers, and contend that " the 
United States have, in i'act, already estab- 
lished American steamers u})on all the 
routes in which they have anj- interest." 
So that, although the British have inte- 
rest enough in Brazil, for example, to 
authorize the establishment oi" a line of 
government steamers, this country has no 
such interest, and we must quietly and 
submissively look on, whilst Great Britain 
is monopolizing the richest commerce in 
all parts of the world. As to any inter- 
ference of ours with the Mediterranean 
trade, you would regard it as impertinent 
in the highest degree ; and yet 1 can in- 
tbrm you that the Turkish Sidtan ha.s 
even now sent an ambassador to our 
shores, part of whose business is that ol" 
contracting for the construction of" a line 
of steamers to navigate the Mediterranean 
from Constantinople, with which the line 
proposed by the Naval Committee may 
readily connect. 

But you tell us, sir, that private enter- 
prise is all sufficient to compete every- 
where with steamships supported by the 
pay and patronage ot the British govern- 
ment. It" that doctrine had prevailed, we 
should have remained in a state of" depen- 
dence upon England lor the transmission 
of our European mails, and the Britisii 
would have monopolized all the light and 
valuable freight from Europe to this 
country. 

In further discussing this part of the 
subject you observe that " if" Great Bri- 
tain is to be quoted tor an example.it will 
be time enough tor us to run a line to 
Africa when she has established one to that 
(juartcr-" It strikes me, sir. that Great 
Britain has not the .same reasons for estab- 
lishing a line to Western Afria that we 
have. She has no colored population 
whom il is desirable lo colonize there, nor 
could the ships on their return to England 
enjoy the advantages which our proposed 
line will possess on the homeward voyage 



10 the United States, conveying :is they 
will do. emigrants from the great capital 
of the Briti.-^h empire to our varion.s ports 
on the Atlautir seaboard. Here, too, it 
may be observed, tliat a cheap pas.sage by 
steamships Irom Enghxiid to this country- 
will induce the emigration ol" a cki,ss of 
persons belter conditioned than tliose who 
come over in the steerage olsuihng ships. 
but who Htdl cannot aliord the exjjcnse of 
a cabin pa.ssage, amounting to a conside- 
rable Pum when the family consi.sts of 
several persons. 

But altliough Great Britain ha.s none of 
the reasons for establishing a line of mail- 
steamers to Western Africa wliicii have 
induced the Naval Committee to recom- 
mend an American line to that quarter, 
still we find that the Englisii government 
has actually resolved to put on a line of 
steamers from London to the Cape of 
Good Hope and the western coast of 
Al'rica ; so that you may be now called 
upon to acknowledge from your own ad- 
missions and course of reasoning, that it is 
now time for us also to enjoy like conuner- 
cial facilities, especially as we can reap all 
the advantages of the trade by merely 
making a deviation consuming a few days 
on the out\\'ard voyage to Europe. 

With respect to the suppression of the 
slave trade, you contend, sir. that the steam- 
ers, by merely goinpr to Liberia, could not 
be a substitute for our blockading .scjuadrons. 
and you a.'^sume that the committee expect- 
ed t<") put do\\ni that tratlicby the mere aj)- 
f)earauce of the steamers on tlic coast of 
Africa. 'Ihe committee entertained no such 
idea, but speak as follows on tliis inijwrtant 
topic : — 

•• The committee believe it is expedient to 
ai<l private enterprise in the colonization of 
the western coa.st of Africa. l)ecause it is the 
most effectual, if not the oidy mode of ex- 
tirpating the slave trarle. The success of 
this nH'a.sure will doubtless render the Afri- 
can sqiia<lron wholly inmeccssary. thus re- 
imbursing a large jtortion of the expense at- 
tending it. and at the same time better ac- 
complishing the object for which that squad- 
ron is mainliiined. It may be expedient lor 
some one of the great iiavid powers to keep 
a small force on the coast of Alrica to protict 
l-ilx-ria. for a limited time, against the .slave 
traders. IWit the attempt to suppress this 
unlawful tralfic l)y blockading thecoast has 
so signally failed, that it will jirobaltly soon 
he iibnndnned by the great Kuroinan jiowi is. 
While the intlmiice of the re|(iiblic of 1,1- 
lieria ba.s Ikm-u shown in the complete siip- 
pre<.sion of the trade along a coast of .several 



huntlred miles in length, the combined 
squadrons of Europe and America have not 
l)een so successful on other portions of that 
unhappy shore. In 1847 no less than 84,- 
;>')() slaves were exported from Africa to 
Cuba and Brazil. In the opinion of the 
committee, it is highh' important to prevent 
the further vMricanizing of the American 
continents. An opposite movement, so far 
as the free ))lacks are concerned, is far more 
in accordance with the spirit of the age. and 
with the best interests of all American go- 
vernments. The people ol the United States 
have shown their strong aversion to the 
slave trade by the provision in their Consti- 
tution agiiinst it. and by their unremitting 
and vigorous ellbrts to suppress it. The 
success which has alreadj' crowned the in- 
fancy of Liberia indicates the true mode of 
making those exertions effectual, while it 
opens up the way for restoring the free 
])lacks to the native land of their fathers." 

The opinion is strongly entertained that 
not only will the postage revenue meet the 
greater part of the expenses of the Covcrn- 
nient upon this line of steamers, but the 
whole expense of maintaining our squadron 
on the coast of Africa will ere long be avoid- 
ed, for there can be no doubt that when the 
other great powers discover that the true 
mode of suppressing the slave trade is by 
planting civilized colonies on the African 
coast, that encouragement will be afforded 
on a great scale, and the blockading squad- 
rons will be rendered useless, and, as sug- 
gested by the committee, nothing more will 
\k- re(pjired than a few crui.sers to jirotect 
the colonists for a limited period. 

As to the commerce with Africa, you are 
of opinion that the committee ought onh' to 
have spoken of the existing trade of Liberia; 
but in this a'ou deliberately sujipress the 
universally admitted fact that Liberia is 
•' the door of Africa." and that the Liberians 
h aving constitutions adai)ted to the climate, 
and Ijeing of the .same color and race as the 
natives, will i)enetrate the country with 
safety, and prosecute their trade on an ex- 
tensive scale. The coffee, dye-woods, gums, 
indigo, ginger, arrowroot, ivory, gold-dust, 
&(•., will be exchanged by the natives for 
coar.se cotton goods, and other articles, 
which can readily be nianuractured in the 
Mississijipi valley, and s!iij)])e(l by the New 
( )rleans steamer to Lif)eria. The slave traile 
sujjprcssed, the natives will be stimulated 
to the arts vl' peace, and, moreover, the 
iiiiigrants theni,selvi.s will be good customers 
for everything wanted by civilized man. 
'fhere will be a bri.sk demand for agricultural 
imj)lemenl.s — lor articles of clothing, finni- 



27 



tare, &c. — a larj^c part of which will also 
be shipped hy way ol" New Orleans. 

Tt is a reasonable expectation that Afrii-a 
will he the great customer, if not the main 
stay and support, of the infant cotton 
manufactures of the South ; for it is plain 
that a great demand can he created in 
Africa, through the medium of the Liberia 
traders, for articles which can be manu- 
factured more advantageously in the Soutli 
than in any other part of the Union. The 
North may retain for years its superiority 
in the mauuf;icture of the liner fabrics ; but 
those goods which can be most reachly dis- 
posed of in Africa, can be made cheaper in 
the cotton-growing regions than elsewiiere, 
and a market for them will be oi)ened up by 
the colonization of Liberia, and the facilities 
afforded by steamers to commercial opera- 
tions in that quarter. 

There is another consideration worthy of 
notice : the ships will be at liberty to touch 
at any of the West India Islands. This 
right will probably be exercised, as from 
some of those islands freight can be obtained 
for Europe. American influence will be ex- 
tended in those islands by the periodical 
presence there of these mammoth steamers, 
and by the creation of new sources of com- 
merce between them and the continents of 
Europe and America. 

It seems certain that New Orleans can- 
not yet be connected with Europe by 
steamers in any other way so advan- 
tageously as in that proposed by the Com- 
mittee. Ocean steamers are too expensive 
for the New Orleans trade alone ; but one 
of these steamers can be required to run 
direct from London and Havre to New 
Orleans, bringing the light and valuable 
fabrics of France and England to that city, 
as well as passengers for the South and 
West. Cabins, too. can be fitted up for a 
few first class passengers. Invalids, desirous 
of going to jNIadeira and the shores of the 
Mediterranean, can avail themselves of these, 
as w^ell as the people of the South, leturn- 
ing from Europe. And here, sir, 3-ou will 
perceive that the report of the Naval Com- 
mittee has actiially anticipated the enter- 
pi'isc of steam commimication between Mew 
Orleans and Havre, which. I find by j-our 
paper of the od instant, is now occupying 
the attention of our fellow-citizens in New 
Orleans, though in a mode far less adequate 
to the wants of our city than that proposed 
by the committee. 

Permit me, sir, here to notice an objec- 
tion which I have heard against the estab- 
lishment of this line of steamers, but which 
is not presented in your elaborate attack 



u|)()ii the project — namely, tliat ConRress 
has no power to grant aid dirwlly or in- 
directly to the cause of colonization. Now, 
assuming, for the sake of the argument, lliut 
proposition be souml, let us impiire whether 
Congress would be exceeding its power,s by 
encouraging a line of steamers, with the 
actual bona Juk intention of creating a 
1-eserved steam navy, establishing a pro- 
fitable postal connection, and, in a<l(iiliou to 
these important measures, providing an 
ellicient substitute for our blockading 
squadron on the coast of Africa. 

I apprehend, sir, that if a line of steamers 
of the size proposed were established be- 
tween this country and the Mediterranean, 
the}- would have to go out in ballast, if not 
permitted to make a dclour by which the3- 
could secure the passenger tralHc at the dis- 
posal of the Colonization Society, and the 
trade in coarse goods, agricultiu-al imple- 
ments, furniture, &c.. for the colony of 
Libei-ia and the western coast generally. 

Congress will not. by authorizing a 
contract to be made with the proposed 
compcuiy for th-e conveyance of mails to 
the Mediterranean^ and thence through 
the Peninsula, France, and England to 
this country, be paying one dollar even 
indirectly for the encouragement of colo- 
nization ; on the contrary, the contrurlors, 
no doubt, would reiptire the same amount 
of pay to to go direct to (iibraltar. 

IJut although the public revenue will not 
pay any thing to^A-artls the running of the 
steamers to Liberia, the fact that the cause 
of colonization will be greatly advanced l)y 
these ships ought, it is conceived, to influ- 
ence Congi'css to grant the permission to 
the contractors to deviate from the direct 
route. Leaving the colonization pai-t of the 
project entirely out of view, it is conceived 
that Congress would act wisely in authori- 
zing a contract for three or four mammoth 
steamers to run to (Iibraltar. and thence to 
Cadiz, Lisbon. Havre nnd London, not be- 
cause the postage will at once pay the ex- 
penses, but because, in the first i)lare. we 
want a large luunber of war-steamers car- 
rying mails, and could not find a l>otter 
loute than this — none calculate<l to aUbrd 
greater facilities to commerce — none which 
would interfere so little with private entei- 
jirise. Besides, in all mail coutracU theie 
are other considerations than the mere 
question of revenue ; otherwi.se, hundreds 
of districts would have no mail at all. 'J'ho 
convenience of the public has to be regarded, 
and itisalegitimatcobject in contracts for the 
convevan"e of mails by sea to secure incident- 
ally flicilitics for passengers and commerce. 



28 



With resjxrl to tlu' amount demanded 
by the contractors for tihe proposed service, 
it will be observed that, according to the 
estimates of the Naval Committee, the con- 
tractors must make nearly f>ixty thousand 
dollars each voyage, besides the mail pay 
and the ri-fcipts from the Colonization So- 
ciety, to realize even as much as six ])er 
cent, interest on their capital. Most of the 
ocean mail steamer contracts are under the 
management of the Navy Department; so 
that we may presume that the committee 
understand this part of the .subject. We 
may infer from these ligures tliat no respon- 
sible persons would be willing to perform 
the service at a lower rate, and it would 
seem lo me that the (Jovcrnment ought not 
to wish to screw down the parties who, to 
use the words of the committee, '• have had 
the sagacity to conceive, and who have the 
ability faithfully to carry out this noble 
project," lo terms which would leave them 
little or no ciiance of deriving a reasonable 
protit from the enter])rise. 

The advantages of this line are .so nu- 
merous and so vast, that, in my opinion, 
nothing is required but di.scussion on the 
subject to awaken public attention. The 
more the matter is examined, the more the 
project will commend itself to the business 
men of New Orleans, and to all intelligent 
minds. No serious objection, it .«eems to 
me, is presented to the recommendations of 
the committee, whilst the publication of 
such remarks as those you have presented 
alfords the friends of the measure a desira- 
ij!e opportunity of di.scussion. Of this they 
are always i-eady to avail theiuselve.s, and 
have no fear of the residt. 

I trust that, after further investigation, 
your sagacity will perceive that New Or- 
leans will be benelitcd by the proposed 
measure more than any other city in the 
Union. .She cannot have a direct commu- 
nication to Europe }»y steamships in any 
other way. .Slie will be the principal jwrt 
for the export of goods to the African mar- 
ket. She will receive thousands of well 
conditioned emigrants from Einope. and she 
will be greatly benefited by the emigration 
of free colored persons. And. in this con- 
nection, it may be proj)er to observe, that 
the interests of the colored emigrants have 
been carelully .miarded l)y the committee. 
in restraining tiic company from charging 
them more than ten dcdlars for each ailult. 
and five dollars for each child, rations and 
transportation of baggage being included. 
In this jiarticular the project differs from 
fthcr contru'-ts. as they contain no sn<-li 
limitation, and this difTerence. I ai>prehen<l. 



will not serve to render the scheme objec- 
tionable, but. on the contrary, make it more 
acceptable to all persons in every section of 
our country ; though, no doubt, the com- 
pany would prefer to be without restriction 
in this particular. 

Nor are the citizens of New Orleans in- 
different to the great national considerations 
involved in this subject — the creation of an 
efficient steam navj- in reserve, the abolition 
of the slave trade by the colonization of the 
African coast, and the diffusion of Chris- 
tianity and ci^^lization over that continent. 
THOMAS J. DURANT. 

of New Oi'leans. 



LETTER FROM THE REV. R. R. 
GURLEY, 

CHAPLAIN OF THE C. S. SENATE. IN FAVOR 
OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRO- 
POSED LINE OF STEA.MERS. 

AVashington, Oct. 10. 1850. 
My Dear Sir : — Anxious thought for 
many years on the subject of ^Vfrican colo- 
nization, and aU my observations during 
my recent visit to the Republic of Liberia, 
have led me to the conclusion, that no 
higher duty is impo.sed by Providence upon 
the Government of the Ilnited States, than 
that of encouraging and aiding the voluntary 
e.stablishment of our fi-ee people of color on 
the African coast. Whether we regard 
i their interests or our own. reasons, numer- 
j ous, various, and full of benelicence. are 
suggested for their emigration to the land 
of their fathers. The gi'eatest of these rea- 
I sous is undoubtedly the good to be accom- 
I plished. throngh their inlUience and labors, 
j in the civilization of Africa, a work the 
I mightiest and the most honoral ile which 
remains to ])e accomplished in the progress 
j of the human race. 

I The establishment of the line of steamers 
i which you c(Mitemplatc. under t]w> auspices 
I of the United States (lovernment. will be 
I among the most sure and efii<'ient means 
I that can be devi.sed in the promotion of this 
I vast and most benevolent enterpri.se, by 
making known to our free people of color 
the rich and unboundeil inheritance of 
honor, wealtli, liberty and genci-al pros- 
; perity which is ojien to them in Africa, by 
I disclosing to the American peoi)!c the mo- 
j fives which should dispose theui to as.si.st 
their emigration, thus uniting the .senti- 
ments of the while and colored races in the 
! United States in n scheme advantageous to 
both, limited in its benefits to neither, but 



29 



encompassing in its philanthropy one en- 
tire quarter of the world, and tlmt the most 
miserable, and certain! v, if less directly, all 
her dispersed ami atHicted children. 

Havins,' becouia personally acquainted 
with the climate, soil, resources, people, 
government of the Republic of Liberia, I 
feel assured that the diffusion of correct 
information in regard to that country will 
increase ten-fold the interest now felt by 
the white and colored races in the United 
States, in the destiny of that free, independ- 
ent, and Christian' State. There, will it 
soon be seen, is the inviting field for the 
intelligence, the enterprise, the energy, the 
philanthrophy. and the renown of the sons 
of Africa; and with them once there estab- 
lished as a virtuous, industrious, agricul- 
tural, and commercial people, our only ri- 
valry will be which shall most excel in 
oflBces of good will, which derive largest 
advantages from the interchange of com- 
modities, and the reciprocation of those 
benefits which ever mutually attend the 
friendly commercial intercourse of nations. 
I cannot believe that our Government will 
long withhold its favor from Liberia, or 
hesitate to adopt efficient measures to aid 
such of our free people of color as may 
aspire to an unembarrassed position, and 
the distinction of becoming benefactors to 
their race, in securing a free, happy, and 
honorable home within its limits. 

I have the honor to be, my dear Sir, 

Very faithfull}^ yours, 
R. R. GURLEY. 

George N. Sanders, Esq. 



THE CONDITION AND PROS- 
PECTS OF LIBERIA. 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM THE PRE- 
SIDENT OF LIBERIA, DATED MONROVIA, 
SEPT. 27, 1850, IN FAVOR OF THE PRO- 
JECT, AND SHOWING THE PROSPERITY 
OF THE COLONY. 

[From the N. V. Tribuno.] 

My Dear Sir: I thank you for your 
esteemed favors of the 26th and 29th June ; 
I assure you that I fully appreciate all you 
say with respect to the energy and enter- 
prise which should characterize the peo- 
ple of Liberia to insure them complete 
success. I am aware that many of our 
best friends in the United States have 
long entertained and some still entertain, 
fears that the great work in which we arc 
engaged, after all the wonderful success 
-which has hitherto attended our efforts, 

5 



and the encouraging prospects now be- 
fore us, may po.ssibly, liir tix- want ot in- 
dustry and energy, and a detonnination 
on the part of the people here to succeed, 
prove a tiiilure. I, too, have had Icura in 
this respect. 

But I am happy to be able to sav that 
within the last lew years tlicsc fears have 
altogether subsided. The lime was when 
the people here gave too much of their 
time and attention to petty trading with 
the natives, neglecting almost totallv the 
more certain and safe means of acquiring 
permanent happiness and independence — 
I mean the cultivation of the soil. This, 
however, was an evil which has happily 
cured itself, and at present an altogethe'r 
different state ol" tilings prevails. Agri- 
culture everywhere throughout the com- 
monwealth is receiving more attention. 
Really there is an air of comfort, content- 
ment and happiness among the people set- 
tled along the banks of the river and in 
the interior villages that is truly pleasing 
to witness. Our prospects were never 
more flattering and encouraging than they 
are at present. In addition to the atten- 
tion which is now given to agriculture, it 
is gratifying to know that the public are 
more than ever concerned about education, 
and the meansof securing it to their child 
ren, and this feeling is rapidly extending 
itself among our aboriginal inhabitants. 
They are daily sending in their children 
" to be taught book and learn Alerica man 
fash and God palaver." All this is ex- 
ceedingly gratifying. Liberia is certainly 
going ahead, and if a good Providence will 
continue to guide and direct us, we may 
reasonably hope that Liberia will attain 
what you look forward to — apow-erful Re- 
pubhcan Government that will in all that 
constitutes true glory, rival the United 
States of America — and that both nations, 
either acting together or in a generous ri- 
valry of good works, may be the means of 
civilizing and christianizing the world, 
especially benighted Africa. 

1 rejoice to notice that Colonization is 
rapidly gaining favor in the United States. 
and that Liberia is more and, more attrac- 
ting attention. Thave, indeed, been inter- 
ested in perusing the papers you were 
good enough to send me. In •' The New 
York Tribune,''^ I noticed several articles 
on the subject of Coloiuzation that pleased 
me very much. 

I am pleased to find that Judge Bryan's 
scheme to establish a line of steamships 
between the United States and Liberia 
finds favor at Washington ; and that the 



80 



Committee on Naval Affaire, of the House 
of Representatives, have agreed to report 
in favor of it. Such a hne of steamships 
will unquestionably i;ive a new and mighty 
impulse to colonization, and will greatly 
increase the commercial interests of both 
countries." 



LETTER FROM J. McDONOGH.Esq. 

OP NEW ORLEANS, TO THE REV. R. R, 
GURLEY, ON THE SUBJECT OF COLONI- 
ZATION, WITH -MR. GURLEY's RE.MARKS 
ON THE SAME. 

To the Editors of the National In- 
telligencer : — 

Washington, Aug. 12, 1850. 
Gentlemen : I cannot doubt that it will 
afford you pleasure to publish the follow- 
ing excellent letter from ray venerable 
friend. John Mcdonogh, Esq., of New 
Orleans, who has for many years given, 
by uninterrupted efforts and munificent 
donations, the best possible evidence of 
his interest and zeal in the cause of Afri- 
can civilization : — 

New Orleans, June 10, 1850. 

Dear Sir: A thousand thanks for your 
goodness, in giving me the pleasing infor- 
mation you liave communicated in your 
letter of the sixth March last, in relation 
to Liberia, and her prospects in general, 
and to tlie people who. in the providence 
of God, I had some little instrumentality 
in assisting to reach their fatherland, in 
particular. If I have not acknowledged the 
receipt of your highly esteemed favor at 
a more early day, (lor it reached me in 
due course of mail.) it was because I was 
incapacitated by sickness from addre.ssing 
you. I have had lately an attack of 
rheumatism, from which indeed I am suf- 
fering at this moment. For the last 
twelve months, however. I have not en- 
joyed my accustomed feelings of healtii. 
having been ill at my ease, without being 
eick. I imputed it to the closing of the 
seventieth year of my :jge. rgencrally a 
critical period of a man's lite.) Whether 
that was the "ausc or not, I cannot say ; 
at any rate, witli you, sir. 1 am asHiircd in | 
ad\';uice. it will be accepted as a pullicient | 
apology in not having sooner addressed \ 
you. I 

I heard of your departure for Africa, 1 
and your return to your native land, willi \ 
feelingH of great satisfaction and joy. 
knowing that the grand object of your : 



existenco on earth (like your prototype, 
St. Paul) was the honor of God. and, 
con-sequently, the benefit and salvation oi 
your IcUow men ; and that, wherever you 
moved. Hi.s honor and glory would be pro- 
moted by you. 

Your opinion of Liberia, and her pros- 
pects filled my heart with joy ; and I 
agree fully Avith you, sir, " that the scheme 
of African colonization is one of vast be- 
neficence, meriting the earnest and liberal 
support of the whole American people ; " 
and Liberia will, as you observe, attract to 
her bo.som a large portion of the free 
colored population of our country. She 
must also receive, in time, and that time is 
not far distant, the slave population of 
the South, manumitted and sent to their 
fatherland by their owners. God. in his 
mercy, is preparing the means and the 
way. A few years more, and white labor 
in our country (from the natural as well 
as foreign increase of our population) will 
be as cheap as it is now in France and 
Italy. Whenever that is the case, (and it 
has been going down lower and lower for 
many years past.) the slaveholder will not 
retain his slaves, will not agree to keep 
and support them, but will drive them 
away, as white labor will then cost less 
than it would require to feed, clothe, and 
lodge his slaves ; besides being in other 
ways more profitable. 

The account you give me. sir, of the 
moral and religious character of those 
people whom I assisted to get to Liberia, 
and of their happiness and prosperity 
there, affords me great joy. My first great 
object in assisting them to reach that 
country was the lionor of our Lord and 
Master. To that end I strove to instruct 
and prepare them, through a long series 
of yeans, day and night, and had them in- 
structed in the icnowledge of Him and his 
righteous law. To know then, sir. that 
they are laboring in his Divine cause, with 
a holy and piou.s zeal, fills my soul with 
delight and tliank fulness to him, the glo- 
rious Author of all. 

Can you iiilbrm me, sir, how and why 
it is that the missionary societies of our 
country look witli apathy or coldness (if I 
may so .say) on that vast field of labor, 
which is white for the reaping, heathen 
Africa, and send no helping hand, no la- 
borers to the harvest. Why, sir, are they 
not engaged in educating and preparing 
hundreds, and thousands even, (il' pos- 
sible.) of pious blacks and colored men for 
the ministry, for the African field, seeing 
tliat the cUmate is fatal to the white man? 



31 



Were seminaries established for that pur- 
pose, where the black and colored man 
could be educated lor the ministry, and 
supported free of expense, and advertise 
ment thereof made, 1 doubt not hundreds 
would respond to the call, in a cause the 
most glorious of earth. 

Will the Government of the United 
States do nothing in the way of an apj)ro- 
priation of money — say, a half million of 
dallars annually, during ten or twenty 
years — to assist in transporting the free 
blacks and colored population of the 
United States to their liitherland ? The 
time, I should think, was a favorable one 
for pressing the subject on the attention of 
Congress ; more especially, as that great, 
virtuous, and good man, General Taylor, 
(who, without any information or know- 
ledge of his opinions or views on the sub- 
ject, I doubt not, is favorably disposed 
towards it — for his heart is the seat of 
every noble, every benevolent afiection.) 
is in tlie Presidency. What subject is 
there, sir, after that of the Union, which 
interests more the American people than 
tiiis '? A special message on the subject 
to Congress, from the President, recom- 
mending at the same time the indepen- 
dence of the Liberian Republic, and the 
forming of a commercial treaty with 
her, would, I have no doubt, be acceded 
to by that body, and a law passed ia con- 
formity. 

I perceive, sir, in your interesting ad- 
dresses, dehvered before the New York 
State Colonization Society, lately, and 
before the American Colonization Society, 
on the 15tli of January last, in Washing- 
ton, that you advocate as a form of go- 
vernment best suited to Liberia, that of a 
consolidated republic, in preference to a 
federal one, or union of states, You will 
excuse me, sir, if I mention this — it is not 
done to express an opinion, but merely to 
express ray fears The object of you and 
myself is the same — the happiness and 
prosperity of that people. You have re- 
flected on the subject, and studied the 
Eeople, their position, and situation ; I 
ave not. But, as you observe, sir, she is 
destined to become a powerful nation, and 
to extend her sway over a great portion 
of that continent. In her present state of 
weakness, and for a length of time, no 
doubt the most simple form for her would 
be consolidation ; but in time, when her 
limits Avill be greatly extended by annexa- 
tion, and her population increased by mil- 
lions, and tens of millions, Hbr ambition 
fires the breast of the blacK man. as it 



dues that of the white.) would it not bo 
found necessary to satisfy her ambitioua 
men to have other higli post.s of lionor, 
such as we possess in our ditRTi-nt State 
governments, of governors, lieuti-nant go- 
vernors. State ernatons, reprcHcntativwi. 
&c. &C.1 or would not their consoliduted 
gnvcrimiont be driven to the alternative 
of keeping up large standing armies, with 
all their certain and inevitable dangers? 
I have been taught to believe that the 
saft^ty and perpetuity of our glorious re- 
public depended (\nider God) ii])on our 
federative system, the honors of our State 
governments acting as escape pipes for 
the high steam of our ambitious men to 
go off by and evaporate, without endan- 
gering the body politic. You, sir. who 
have studied man as he is, and reflected 
much and deeply on the subject, do you 
believe that our happy republic would 
have descended from our Revolution to 
the present day under a consohdated form, 
without shocks, attempts at revolution, or 
a large standing army ? 

With every wisli for your health and 
happiness, and that of your family, I am, 
sir, with great respect, 

' Your friend and obed't serv't, 
JOHN McDONOGH. 

To the Rev. R. R. Glrley. 

It was my privilege, during my recent 
mission to Liberia, to visit, at their own 
houses, on the bank of the St. Paul's, and 
in other settlements, many families, who 
were indebted to the long-continued and 
most judicious labors of Mr. McDonogh 
for their freedom, and for abihty to make 
such freedom a blessing to themselves, 
their posterity, and their race. From 
their own lips I heard warm expressions 
of gratitude to their benefactor, as well 
as of the confidence that the hopes with 
which his counsels had inspired them 
would be realized, and that the indepen- 
dent republic of which they are now citi- 
zens would speedily rise to respectability 
and honorable influence among the free 
and Christian states of the world. 

And here I may remark, that the inter- 
view which I was permitted to enjoy with 
the late lamented and illustrious President 
of the United States, (about two weeks 
before his death.) was .sought by me for 
the sole purpose of reading to him a few 
sentences from this letterof Mr. McDonogh, 
in the sentiments of which, so far as they 
related to the propriety of the action of 
the Government to advance the interest of 
Liberia, I was gratified to know, from his 



32 



own emphatic declarations, that he fully 
concurred, and that he was prepared at a 
suitiihie time to recommend to Congress 
to consider thi^ design of African coloni- 
zation and civilization, as most important 
to two races of men and two quarters oi" 
the globe. 

Every believer in Divine origin of Chis- 
tianity will find it iinmossible to doubt that 
the present relations between the white 
and colored races, on this continent, are 
intended by the benevolent Ruler of the 
world to result in good to both, and that 
this nation occupies a situation, and is en- 
dowed with the amp'lest means and most 
efficient agencies, lor imparting her liberty 
and arts, her letters and religion, to tlie 
people of Africa. Surely, of all our in- 
terests as individuals, or as a nation, 
during this being and uncertain existence 
on earth, none can compare in importance, 
honor, or renowji. to the interests of beni- 
FiCENCE ; and far beyond all our desires 
for wealth and power, for increased do- 
minion and the glory oi arms, should be 
those communicating our inestimable bles- 
sings to the less unlbrtunate and lavored 
communities of mankind. If a knowledge 
of the Divine Law, and the power ol' imi- 
tating its benevolence, impose oldigations 
uponany people, the people oi'this country, 
and especially of our Southern Staies. are 
bound by the highest obligations of duty 
to deliver Africa from her miseries, and to 
bestow upon her the gift ol" good govern- 
ment, and the siill more precious blessings 
of the Word of Eternal Lite For what 
has the Almighty Ruler of the Avorld ex- 
alted us, but that we should be a nation 
to serve Him ; that his holy spirit of good- 
will to men should animate and influence 
our hearts; that we should become the 
ministers of his will, of his light, and love, 
to all the dwellers in darkness; that we 
should teacli them to walk in his counsels, 
celebrate his wor.-hip, and sound Ibrth his 
praise ; that we should thus enrich the 
most destitute, and ennoble the most de- 
graded, and making them jiartakers of an 
invincible Faith and an inimorial Hope ? 
The great political questions which now i>o 
agitate the public mind are inU'rior in im- 
portance to that of our duty, as one united 
nation of Christians, to God, his trutii. 
and to the human race. Nor should tiiis 
greater question be ever left forgotten or 
obscure in our consideration of the less. 

And here may I be allowed to sutrgest, 
as among the iiigh duties of our (Jovmi- 
ment — 



That of extending all its influences with 
the civilized powers of the world, to induce 
them to make the African .slave-trade pi- 
racy by common consent and universal 
law. 

To aid the Republic of Liberia in 
maintaining its Government, and extend- 
ing its territory, authority, and influ- 
ence. 

To encourage lawful commerce with 
Africa, as amongst the most sure, rapid, 
and powerful means of her civilization. 

To assist worthy free persons of color 
who may desire to emigrate to Liberia, in 
establishing themselves in that Republic ; 
thus introducing them to hopes and im- 
munities not to be surpassed, and enabling 
them to become reformers, guides and be- 
nefactors of the native population of 
Africa. 

The Congress of Liberia, by joint reso- 
lutions of both Houses, has requested the 
President to appoint a citizen of the 
United States to represent their condition 
and necessities to the American people, 
and to make an appeal on their behalf to 
individuals, and to the Governments of 
the States and the Union, for the means of 
enlarging their territory, and extending 
the benefits of their institutions. That 
funds are greatly needed to enable the 
Government of Liberia to increase its ter- 
ritory, to explore the country, and ascer- 
tain its productions and resources, to nego- 
tiate treaties with many, and in some 
cases with remote African tribes, to main- 
tain schools lor its own and a more numer- 
ous native pojiulation. and to difluse a 
knoAvledge of the useful arts and improved 
systems of agriculture is certain. That 
donations bestowed lor any one. or for all 
these objects, will be faithfully ap])!ied. I 
have no doubt. To the very sensible and 
forcible remarks of my respected friend in 
regard to the federal system, and its value 
in our experience, I Avill not now attempt 
to reply, but merely say that, for the pre- 
sent, and as I imagine for years to come, 
one simple undivided Government in Li- 
beria will conduce more effectually to the 
peace, harmony, and prosperity of the 
people, than a system embracing various 
State Governments, united like our own 
in one confederated Rej)ublic. 

I have the honor to bv gentlemen, most 
respectfully, your friend and obedient 
servant, 

R. R. GURLEY. 



83 



EXTRACT FROM THE WILL OF 
MR. McDONOGH, 

BEaUEATHING ONE- EIGHTH PART OF THE 
RENTS or HIS ESTATE TO THE AMERICAN 
COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 

" Firstly, I give and bequeath to the 
American Colonization Society, for colon- 
izing the free people of color of the United 
States, established at the City of Wash- 
ington, i'l the district ot Columbia, lor the 
purposes of its noble and philanthropic in- 
stitution, an annuity for the term of forty 
years, counting Irom and after the day of 
my decease, of the one-eighth part, or 
twelve and a half per cent, of the net 
yearly revenue of rents ol' the wliole of 
the estate, as hereinbefore willed and be- 
queathed unto the Mayors, Aldermen and 
inhabitants of the cities of New Orleans 
and Baltimore, but which one-eighth part 
of the net yearly revenue of rents of said 
estate, as aforesaid, shall not entitle the 
said American Colonization Society, (or 
Colonizing the free people of color of the 
United States, to receive or demand, in 
any one year, a larger sum than twejitj-- 
five thousand dollars, should the one-eighth 
part thereof amount to a larger sum ; 
trusting in full confidence that the inhabi- 
tants of this free and happy land, through- 
out all its borders, from Maine to Louisiana, 
will sustain this institution — one of the 
greatest glories of our country — and enable 
it to accomplish its humane and holy object 
in its full extent." 



"BUT WILL THEY GO?" 

EXTRACT FROM THE LEADING ARTICLE OF 
THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY AND COLONIAL 
JOURNAL FOR OCTOBER, 1850. (tHE OFFI- 
CIAL ORGAN OF THE COLONIZATION SO- 
CIETY.) ON THE (lUESTION WHETHER THE 
FIIEE COLORED PEOPLE WILL EMIGRATE 
TO LIBERIA: 

^' " But will they go 7 That dejiends very 
much upon circumstances. Who are they 1 
What are they doing where they are ? 
What influences are brought to bear upon 
them? Have they a will and a conscience? 
Have they susceptibilities to feel andpov.'er 
to appreciate ? Is their present condition 
as good as they desire it to be ? Is there 
any prospect that in their present situation 
they ever can reach that point which is the 
true and lawful aim of a generous and 
noble spirit ? 

What answer can be given to these 
questions ? 



The condition of the free colored people 
in tills country is well understood. They 
are among us, l)ut they are not of n.s. — 
They are no part of the social or political 
state. They are beset on every liand 
witli obstacles resulting in part frorn liiings 
inlierent in their very existence, and iii 
part. IVom the great superiority in wealth, 
intelligence, and position of" those with 
v/hom they come in conUict and have to 
compete. 

Tiiey are never the less man. They 
have intellects which can be made to see 
and understand the nature oi' things. — 
They liave heartu to feel the influence of 
the motives whicii are presented to them. 
They have wills to choose between the 
good and the bad, between tlie high and 
honorable road which leads to their indi- 
vidual elevation and that of their entire 
race, and the more beaten track of the 
uneducated and depressed crowd. 

These things being true, it follows that 
they can be made rightly to appreciate the 
superior advantages of a residence in Li- 
beria, to remaining in this country, and 
that they canbeinduced to act accordingly. 

We shall not here stop to show tliat Li- 
beria is the right place lor them ; that it 
possesses advantages tar superior to any 
other place ; that there is no other place 
in this or any other country which can be 
at all compared to it ! These things are 
true, as we have shown and proved them 
to be a thousand times. We here take 
them for granted. There is not the 
slightest doubt that personally, individu- 
ally and socially. Liberia is the palace lor 
them. As parents, with children depend- 
ing upon them and ultimately to leave 
behind them in this world, Liberia is the 
place for them. If they have any desire 
to do good as Avell as to get good, Liberia 
is the place for them. If they desire to 
aid in elevating their race, with a grandeur 
and power unsurpassed, Liberia is the 
place for them. 

But Liberia is a great way off. They 
cannot see it — they cannot hear it — tliey 
cannot touch it. In their minds clouds and 
darkness are round about it. and whether 
storm or sunshine would be their portion 
there, is an undecided question, or if de- 
cided atall, decided in favor of the darkness. 

Is there any process by which you can 
place to their eye some long telescope 
through whicli tliey can see Liberia living 
and moving before them day after day ? 
by which tlicir heart shall he energized 
and brouglit in contact with the great heart 
of Liberia, to feel its quick and life-like 



34 



pulsations, and to sliarc its noble and gen- 
erous ambition ! Yes. there is. Tlie task 
will be dilficult. but it can be done. Time 
and patience and per.scverance will be re- 
quired, but tlie result will be sure and the 
reward great. 

How have other men been induced to 
change their place, their country ? They 
have been convinced tliat thereby they 
might advantJige themselves. Who would 
have believed tliat the well-nested inhabi- 
tants ot' the old world would in such num- 
bers and for so many years, Ibllow the 
Mayflower Pilgrims to this Avestern Con- 
tinent ! And yet the Italf has not been 
told them. Who can doubt that the rush 
to the United States from all the countries 
of Europe would be tremendous, could 
the poor and depressed there have their 
eyes enlarged and their visions elongated 
sufficiently to take in and understand the 
whole of our great country and the bright 
and broad opening prospects presented to 
them here ! There is iso measuring tlie 
impression which would be produced upon 
them. Tlie stor}' of the Irishman who 
was afraid to write home that he had meat 
every day in the week, lest his friends 
should consider him crazy, is lamiliar to 
all. And yet with the imperfect knowledge 
which they have, they come, one would 
suppose, sufficiently tiist, to satisfy the 
most eager. 

But the difference betv/een their con- 
dition there and here, is not greater than 
the dirterence between the condition of the 
colored people here and in Liberia. 

Here then is tlie one thing which must 
be done ; — the colored people must be 
made ac(puiinted with the real state of 
thiiiirs in Liberia, and made to under- 
stand the full prospeci held out to them 
there. 

The means by which this is to be done 
are very simple. A good Jriend of theirs 
and ours in Norlblk. Va., the pastor of a 
colored church there, last spring com- 
menced speaking to some oi" his people 
about Liberia; he continued to impart in- 
formation to them until July, when he had 
the pleasure of accompanying ticentij-fire 
of them on board the I^iberia Packet and 
seeing them sail tor Liberia. T]i('}'are a 
fine, intclliL''cnt company of people. To 
induce flir-m to go. he did what every 
other j)er.son similarly situated can do. and 
no more. Hi; told tiic-m the truth; — he 
answered tlutir objections ; he counscli'd 
them al)out tiieir outfit; he helped them 
to settle, up their ntfairs; he encouraged 
Uujui to be of tfuod cheer; and he let them 



see that he felt a real interest in them and 
thoroughly desired their welfare ! 

Who can doubt that a like course pur- 
sued by the pastors of the many churches 
in Virginia, would produce like results, 
and as a consequence, an emignation of 
thousands of the very best free colored 
people in the State would take place. It 
would not cost much to make the eflbrt. — 
A little thought, a little reading, a little 
time, and a great deal of .sympathy, would 
do it. Thereby many pastors oi said 
churches would lose some of their best 
members. But they would noifeel the 
loss. The blessings oi"Iieaven would come 
so richly on the movement as to more than 
supply the place of ail wlio would leave, 
on so holy a mission. 

We therefore appeal to the pastors 
aforesaid, to take this matter in hand in 
good earnest. Is it not a work worthy of 
your talents and your zeal ? Does it not 
claim yor noblest elibrts, and is it not ur- 
gent in its demands, not Avilling to be put 
off, and utterly adverse to be entirelj' ne- 
glected ? 

Another process by which the colored 
people can be induced to go is, to jnake 
the communication between Liberia and 
this country quirk and easij. This is very 
important. Toaccompli.sh it. we look to the 
proposed line of STi::.\.MSHiPs. They will 
reduce the length of the pa.ssage to about 
fourteen days ; and will present the very 
linest accommodations. They are to pos- 
sess every requisite for comfort, speed and 
safety, which the ingenuity of man can 
desire, and the advanced state of the arts 
execute ! It cannot be doubted that the 
establishment of such a line of steamships 
will be a powerful stimulus to emigration. 
It will awaken new attention to the im- 
mense interests of Colonization and give 
promi.se of great things to come. It will 
much reduce the expense of emigration 
and thus put it within the power of hun- 
dreds to ])ay their own passage. It will 
give opportunit)^ for the citizens of Liberia 
frequently to return to this country to visit 
their friends, and transact any business 
they may have on hand, and thus to 
awaken a just desire among many to emi- 
grate. 

We therefore sinccrel)' hope that the 
present (Jengress Avill take up the able 
lleportof Mr. Stanton on the Steam.ships 
and adopt it, so that no time need be lost 
in making the impression thereof on the 
colored ])eoj)le. For many and obvious 
reasons we want this work commenced 
without delay. Wc have entirely mis« 



35 



talcen the sians of the times, the language 
of the pubhr. press and the dersire of the 
community, if four-Jiflhs of tlie people 
are not in favor of the Steamship project, 
just as reported by the committee. We 
are therefore persuaded that the bill must 
be adopted at somp. time. 'V\\c Steam- 
ships must be built. The great work 
must be done. Therefore let it be com- 
menced at once. 

The free people of color of the United 
States number upwards of half a million. 
Among them are many persons of edu- 
cation and refinement, of sound sense and 
correct morals. It cannot be that such 
persons can long fail to perceive that (Mni- 
gration to Liberia presents tlie speediest 
and most complete relief from their present 
disadvantageous position, and the thousuad 
things which tend to depress and dispirit 
them. 



ARTICLE 

FROM THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY, ON THE 
PROCEEDINGS WITH REPORT TO THE 
BILL REPORTED BY THE NAVAL CO.M- 
MITTEE. 

LIBERIA STEAMSHIPS. 

Before the close of the last session of 
Congress, and while all was hurry and ex- 
citement, an effort was made to attach this 
bill to the Navy Ai^propriation bill, but 
without success. There vv'.'is a manifest 
majority against this arrangement. We 
believe, however, that nobody considered 
that vote as having anytliing to do with 
the merits of the case. There vrere some 
speeches in iavor ot esta,blishing the pro- 
posed line oi' steamers — and some against 
the present lines of Mail Steamers in gen- 
eral, and the proposed " Ebony Line" in 
particular. As iar. however, as we could 
gather the opinions of the members of 
Congress, there was a majority in favor of 
this line. "We suppose, therefore, that the 
subject will come up at an early day next 
session. It will meet with some strong and 
decided opposition, after which its friends 
will rally in their might and pass it. 

Seldom has the voice of the public press 
been so unanimously in favor of any mea- 
sure of a public nature. We trust it will 
continue to speak during the recess of Con- 
gress. Vast interests of a commercial na- 
ture are involved. Let the Represeuta- 
tives of the people know what the people 
think and v.iiat they want ! The measure 
may now be considered as fairly before the 
country. Let every one speak his mind 



upon it, and when Congress again assem- 
bles, let there be no doubt as to what the 
people desire. 



ACTION OF THE SYNOD OF VIR- 
GINIA, 

ON COLONIZATION, AND THE PROPOSED 
.STEAMSHIPS. 

The Synod of Virginia, at their late 
meeting in Winchester, Va., adopted the 
following resolutions, viz : 

WheTcas. The Legislature of Virginia, 
at its last session, passed an act appropri- 
ating $30,000 a year, for five years, for 
colonizing the free colored people of this 
State, in Liberia, and 

Whereas, The terms of this act are such 
that it will avail nothing without the con- 
certed and energetic co-operation of the 
individual friends of colonization in all 
parts of the Commonwealth : therefore 

Resolved, That the ministers of this 
Synod be earnestly recommended to pre- 
sent this subject to the several congrega- 
tions with wliich they are connected, at 
some early day. and take up collections in 
its behalf, with a view of gi\'ing effii.'ien- 
cy to the legislation of the State upon this 
great measure of state policy, and chris- 
tian charity. 

Resolved, That we have seen with plea- 
sure, tlie proposal to establish a line of 
steamships, to run between this country 
and Liberia; and that we earnestly desire 
that the plan, proposed by the Committee 
on Naval aflairs, of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, at their late session, may be 
.adopted. 



EXTRACT 

FROM GOVERNOR W. B. SEABROOK's AN- 
NUAL MESSAGE, DELIVERED TO THE 
LEGISI.ATCRE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 
NOV. 26, 1850, IN FAVOR OF THE EX- 
PULSION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE 
FROM THAT STATE. 

'•' In every community, where the insti- 
tution of slavery is interwoven with its 
social system, the public tranquility and 
safety demand the toleration of only two 
classes — white men and colored slaves. The 
existence of a third class, with many of the 
most valuable rights of the former, on a 
level with the latter in repugnance to 
labor and possessing all their menial traits 
of character, unchecked b_v the restraints 



3'i 



of plantation discipline, the colored freeman 
livc»^ a degraded and unpiticd beinj;, a foe to 
pul)lic proorrcss. and unconcerned in all that 
relates to the wilfare of liis fellow creatures. 
History attests, in every seiTiie war, or 
attempt at insurrection, in our country, his 
unfonnnate race have been the chief actors 
or instipT'itors. The dark and bloodj- .scenes 
in St. l)omin»o .would have occurred, even 
if the fixmous Decree of the National 
As.scmbly of France, of the 15th of I\Iav. 
1791, had never become a law. 

*• In South Carolina, free neirroes. niulat- 
toes. and mestizoes, possess all the rifrhts of 
properly and protection to which the white 
inhabitants are entitled. They may purchase, 
hold, and transmit bj- descent, real estate. 
In despite of these and other inestimable 
rights, which they undisturbedly enjoy, 
there are few of the 9.000 in our limits 
who own propertj' bej-ond a yctj limited 
amount. 

'•In view of the iroarl_y removal from the 
State, I recommend that the Tax Collectors 
be instructed to ascertain the number of 
free negroes, mulattoes and mestizoes in the 
several districts and parishes, and how many 
of each ^vho own real estate or slave pro- 
perty, and that they report to the Legisla- 
ture, at its next session." 

Note. — Several Slave States have reccMUly passed 
laws which will have the etrect of expelling beyond 
their borders a large portion of their free colored popul.a- 
tion. Even at the seat of Government itself ; laws 
having the same object have lately been enforced, at 
the same time many of the free States have prohibited 
the immigration of tho.so persons. Under these circum- 
ilauces, it surely becomes the duty of the General 
Govermneut to aid as much as possible in provifling 
some asylum for tlie outcasts. 



EXTRACT 

FROM THE LAST MESSAGE FROM THE GO- 
VERNOR OF l.NDIANA TO THE LEGISLA- 
TURE OF THAT STATE, IN FAVOR OF THE 
PROPOSED LINE OF STEAMERS TO AFRICA. 

He warmly favor.'? the pcheme of Afri- 
can coloiiizHtion, and makes that subject a 
Gtepping-stone to the considenition of the 
late measures of adjustment adopted by 
the National Le<ri.sl;iture. Wc niaKc room 
for all of this, the concludinjr portion otitis 
messarre. inasmuch as it is einincnlly just, 
patriotic, and eloquent: 

"The subject of the colonization of the 
free blacks is now beginning to receive 
that attention which its importance de- 
mands. The circumstances which sur- 
round us are pressing our people to look 
into this subject in tiie right light, and in 
a proper spirit. 



" Our Southern brethren are making 
rapid movements towards abridging the 
privileges of this clas.s,even to banishment. 
We in tlie North are adopting extraordi- 
ntiiy means ibr removing them, by pru- 
hibiiing tiiem I'rom holding property, ex- 
cluding tliem from the protection of the 
laws, and denying them any rights what- 
ever. 

" While all this is going on, our better 
nature, the common sympathies of all men, 
are beginning to ask these important ques- 
tions : What is to be the end of all this? 
/s (here no remedy 7 Is there no cure for 
this e I- in 

'■ In the midst of all this excitement and 
confu.sion the light breaks in upon us, which 
points conclusively to colonization as the 
only remedy. The infant colony of Li- 
beria, recognised as one among the nations 
of the earth, begins now to attract the re- 
newed attention of all men who desire to 
see an entire separation of the two races. 
In tiiis great struggle for the separation of 
the black man from the white, let Indiana 
take her stand; put her agent into the 
field. Her citizens are ready — yea, they 
are willing to contribute of their surplus 
something for the removal oi this people 
from among us. and to locate them in the 
native land of their ibreiathers. Other 
States in this Union have their own settle- 
ments in Liberia. Let Indiana have hers. 
Let us sustain the movement made by Mr. 
Bryan, of Akibaina, lor the employment of 
Ciovernment ves.sels, to found an empire 
in Africa. Let tlie National as well as the 
State governments strike at this hour for a 
permanent and eti'ectual remedy for the 
agitations and excitement of the day on 
this difficult question. " 



EXTRACT 

FROM THE REPORT OF THE FIRST ASSIST- 
ANT POST MASTER GENERAL, NOV. IG, 
1850, IN FAVOR OF AN INCREASED 
NUMBER OF OCEAN MAIL STEA.MSHIP 
LINES. 

Tabic F. exhibits a list of the foreign or 
ocean routes, distinguishing those under 
contract with the Secretary of the Navy, 
from those held directly under the Post- 
master General. 

On these routes correspondence is con- 
veyed to and from foreign countries, and 
remote portions of the United States, in 
steam packets enqjloyed under contract by 
government, and running at stated periods. 
i>y the former mode (still in use whenever 



37 



parties resort to it) it was conveypii bv 
sailing vessels, as their voyaires ini,2;ht oceur, 
for a small gratuity payable ii])on eaeU 
letter at the port of tlelivery. The new 
system is much the most expensive ; but it 
gives to correspondence regularity and 
despatch, the utmost that it is attainable 
for any purpose, between the same points 
of destination. This is of the highest im- 
portance to the interests involved in corre- 
spondence, and as a matter of service de- 
serves a larger compensation. But this 
species of mail conveyance devolves a cost 
■upon the (Tovernment be3-ond the price of 
service as fixed hy any postages that have 
been prescribed. This is because individual 
means are inadequate to the uudertaldng of 
establishing and maintaining steam naviga- 
tion on the ocean. Aid from the Govern- 
ment is necessary, and a wise policy con- 
tributes it ; for navigation by steam, in 
view of the competition of other nations, is 
essential to the commerce of the countrj-, 
from which our public revenues are derived, 
and eminently important as a means of 
public defence and an element of national 
prosperity and power. Government aid 
has been extended to these important steam 
enterprises to an extent beyond the revenue 
in postages, derived from the correspond- 
ence so convcA'ed. Yet an enlarged view of 
the subject will show that the surplus thus 
contributed, is, after all, returned to the 
Government, in postages collected. One 
letter received from abroad may cause seve- 
ral to be written at home. Look at the 
extraordinary annual increase in the amount 
of postage since our foreign steam mail 
lines have been fairly put in operation, 
swelling it to nearly three fold the usual 
per cent, of advance ! Foreign commerce 
that deposits its freights at our seaports, 
does not limit to them the prosperity it 
creates, but quickens and enlarges domestic 
trade through all the interior channels of 
business. So with foreign correspondence. 
It creates and stimulates a correspondence 
within the country, which enlarges the 
more as the former- becomes, through tlie 
agency of steam conveyance, more regular, 
expeditious, and frequent. 

The policy of aiding commercial enter- 
prise, in creating and improving the facility 
of steam navigation by contracts for the 
mails was commenced by Great Britain. 
France followed the example for a brief 
period only, in her short lived Havre and 
New York line. The honor of maintaining 
the competition in that career of policy 
where the struggle is for success in the im- 
provement of steam navigation, and in the 

6 



commerce of the world, now devolves on 
the United States. Our (louniiencoiMcut 
(on the 1st June, 1847.) was on a .small 
scale, with the steamship \Va.sliingt()n, on 
the route to Northern CJermaii}-. We now 
number sixteen ocean steamers, in actual 
mail service, on routes to England and 
France, as well as to (icrmany. to Cuba, 
the Isthmus of J'anama, and the ports of 
California and Oregon; and the number 
will be twenty when the full complement 
under the present contracts is furnished. 
It would be unrea.sonalile to suppose tliat 
the system has attained its full growth. 
We may well anticipate that other steam 
packet lines will be established from the 
Atlantic and Gulf cities, will conuect the 
East Indies and China with California, and 
be extended to tlie Pacific ports of South 
America. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE WASH- 
liNGTON PRESS. 

THE REPUBLIC. 

[Sept. 11, 1850.] 

The Report of the Naval Committee to 
the House of Representatives in favor of 
the establishment of a line of mail steam- 
shijis to the western coast of Africa, and 
thence via the IMediterranean to London, 
has been received by the public press 
throughout the Union Avith the warmest 
expressions of approbation. The Whig, 
Democratic, and Neutral papers of the 
North and the South, in the .slaveholdiug 
and non-slaveholding States, with a very 
few exceptions, appear to vie with each 
other in pressing its consideration upon the 
public attention. This earnest and almost 
unanimous support of the measure by the 
organs of public opinion, without respect to 
party or section, shows the deep hoKl which 
the objects it proposes to effect have upon 
the public favor. Tho.se olijects are to pro- 
mote the emigration of free persons of color 
fi'om this country to Liberia; also to in- 
crease the steam navy, and to extend the 
commerce of the United States — all, it will 
be almost universally conceded, desirable 
objects. The desirableness of the objects 
being admitted, the question is. does the 
mode proposed for promoting them recom- 
mend itself to the sanction of Congress ? 
We are forced to the conclusion that it 
does. We are aware that while all agi-ee as 
to the expediency of increasing our steam 
navv — sonie are in favor of the Govern- 



:38 



ment's building it? ovn\ steam ships, sind 
others advocate the enrourufrement ol' lines 
of steam packets, to be established by pri- 
vate enterprise under the auspices of Gov- 
ernment. 

"Whiilever may be thought of the com- 
piu-ative merits of these modes of augmenta- 
tion, considerations of economy certainly 
■warrant and strongly recommend the adop- 
tion of the latter in this particular instance, 
and in view of the main o]>ject in contem- 
plation, namely, the removal of free ])er.sons 
of color from this country to Africa — it 
being estimated that the gross annual out- 
lay of the Government, on account of the 
three large steamers proposed to be cm- 
ployed in the service, without crediting any 
thing for postage revenue, will not equal 
the cost of a single ship in the regular ser- 
vice. And these steamers, it must be recol- 
lected, will be always at the command of 
the Government, who will liave the right to 
take them, in ca.se of war, for its exclusive 
use and service, on paj'ing the value 
thereof. 

The considerations, however, which in 
our opinion should commend this measure 
to the favorable attention of Congress are 
so obvious, and have been so clearly and 
strongly presented in the report of the com- 
mittee, that we need not here repeat them. 
If the voice of the press, of all sections and 
of all parties, lie any indication of popular 
opinion, we are free to sa}-. that it would 
be iliflicidt foi- congress to pass a measure 
which would be received with more general 
satisfaction hy the people of the United 
States. 



THE UNION. 

Communicaletl. 

Mail Ste.^m Shii's and Colonization. 
— .rVlthough we should not feel disposed to 
support a ])roject for the establishment of a 
line of steam ships to be sustained mainly 
at the expense ol' the (Jovernment. and to 
be applied only to the conveyance of the 
mails to and from Liberia, and the promo- 
tion of the emigration of free persons of 
color from the United States to that repub- 
lic, we think the report of the Naval Com- 
mittee lately presented to the House of 
Representatives l)y Mr. Stanton, the able 
representative from 'i'ennesscc, reonnnend- 
ing the establi.shment of a line of mail steam 
Khips to the western coast of Africa, and 
thence, via the Mediterranean, to Lf)nd<in. 
deser>'es the support of Congress and the 
approbation of tin- country at large. 



A'arious reasons are urged by the com- 
mittee in support of their report, which is a 
very able ])roduction. It is shown, in the 
tirst ])lace. that an addition is required to 
our steam navy, and that, instead of em- 
ploying war steamers to cruise about and 
do nothing, it is better to contract with 
private individuals for the transportation of 
the mails in steam shijjs, Iniilt so as easily 
to l)e converted into ships of war whenever 
required by the Government. It is con- 
ceiled that it is necessary to have several 
war steamers constantly in the ser\'ice ; but 
it is contended that the available force of 
the country should not be confined to these, 
as they are b}" far too expensive to allow of 
any considerable number being kept uj). 
The committee cjuote at considerable length 
the remarks of the honorable Thomas Butler 
King, of Georgia, made in the House of 
Representatives. February 19, 1848, show- 
ing that England had established no less 
than one hundred and fifteen war steamers 
to cari-y the mails to dilt'erent parts of the 
world. Since that time the British govern- 
ment has extended the system to Australia, 
India, the Cape of Good Hope, the Brazils, 
&c., and it is evident that the naval pre- 
dominance of the British empire is hence- 
forth to be secured b}" these means. As far 
as war steameivs in the regular navy are con- 
cerned, it appears that the navy of France is 
iilmost e(|ual to that of England ; but the 
latter power, having under its control nearl)' 
one hundred and lifty war steamers carry- 
ing the mails, still retains a vast superiority 
over its great rival. !Many of the British 
lines of steamships ai-e much more expen- 
sive to the government than the amount of 
the postages earned by them : for example, 
it cannot for an instant be supposed that 
the postage on letters to and from Brazil 
amounts to mucth. Avhereas the outlay will 
probably not fall far short of half a million. 
England looks to the extension of hei' com- 
merce and influence, as well as to the for- 
mation of a large reserved force of war 
steamers. We learn by the last advici's 
that a new line is about to be established by 
the government of that country to tlic 
western coast of Africa. 

There is good reason to suppose that I be 
Mediterranean trade will before long become 
of great additional importance to this 
country. Tliere are at jjresent mimerous 
French and English steamers engaged in 
that trade, and we learn that a company 
has l)cen recently formed at Liverpool to 
run a line of lifteen steamers from that ]iiirl 
to the various jiorts on the Mediterranean. 
This or otlier lines will serve to feed our 



39 



African steamers, calling as they will al 
Gibraltar. 

On the whole, we regard the report of the 
Naval Committee as worthy of the favorable 
consideration of Congress. It appears to ns 
that we reqnire a reserved steam navy, as 
suggested by the committee, and that 
nowhere could mail steamers be bettor 
employed than upon the proposed route. 
We fully concur also in opinion with the 
committee, that the only elfectual mode of 
abolishing the slave trade, and disseminating 
civilization and Christianity throughout 
Africa, is to establish colonies of free colored 
emigrants from the United States; and we 
doubt not this undertaking will be supported 
by the people of this country and of tlie 
whole Christian world. 



NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. 

[August 29, 1850.] 

Steamships for Africa. — We are so 
well known as friends of African Coloniza- 
tion, that we cannot imagine that any vrill 
impute our recent silence on this subject to 
indifference. During the sessions of Con- 
gress much matter of general interest is 
necessarily excluded from our columns. 
Therefore we have not before now been 
able to notice the important Report of !Mr. 
Stanton, (Chairman of the Naval Com- 
mittee of the House of Representatives.) re- 
commending the establishment of a line of 
Steamers to the Western Coast of Africa, 
and thence hij the way of the Mediterra- 
nean to London. For the notice of it 
which we now take, we are indebted to a 
gentleman better qualified than we to 
judge of its merits. 

The establishment of this line is urged 
for the twofold purposes of strengthening 
the naval force of the United States, and 
augmenting the means for the colonization 
and civilization of Africa. Both England and 
France have recently greatly increased their 
naval forces by the construction of steam- 
ships ; and while the committee do not pro- 
pose that we should attempt to equal these 
nations in the numlier of vessels of war, 
they are of opinion that a few large steamers 
will prove of great advantage to the public 
service, and should be always at the com- 
mand of the Government. 

But, in the view of the Committee, the 
chief ends to be sought by the establish- 
ment of this line are the fiicilities which it 
will afford for the emigration of our free 
colored population to the coast of Africa — 



the suppression of the African slave tnule — 
and the increase of legitimate coinmerce 
with that country, a,s one of the priiiciial, 
most sure, and certain means of its civiliza- 
tion. 

Surely the establishment, by private 
benevolence, of a reptiblican and indepen- 
dent State of emancipated ))lacks from this 
country on the African coast, is among the 
marvels of this age, an<l the favor with 
which it is regarded Jjy the great Powers of 
the world, and the ample means jx)sses.se<l 
by the (loneral Government of this Union 
to aid its progress, nvnnbers. stability, and 
unlimited moral and political inlluencc. are 
alike in<lications of our duty and of the 
Ijcnign purposes of Providence towards that 
vast, arjd, to a great extent, uncivilized and 
unexplored region of the world. The 
power of steam will enable the free and 
instructed descendants of Africa to return 
to her with blessings, that they may cul- 
tivate her fields, develop her unbounded 
resources, trace her rivers to their sources, 
and make them the channels of a valuable 
commerce ; to reclaim her people from 
barbarism, and teach them to exchange 
their rude huts for christian villages, and to 
adorn that now cheerless coast with schools, 
churches, and cities. We know that large 
numbers of our intelligent fellow citizens 
highly approved the determination of the 
late President to cause inquiries to be made 
into the condition and prospects of Liberia, 
and that tliey arc anxious to have the results 
of those inquiries communicated to the 
counti'y. 



NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. 

[October 23, 1350.] 

African Steam Lines.-— The entertain- 
ment by the Government of Great Britain 
of a project for the establishment of a power- 
ful line of steam vessels between that country 
and the African coast ostensibly for the 
conveyance of a monthly mail, and the more 
effectual checking of the slave trafhc. i.s 
.strong proof, we think, of the value that the 
commerce between the two countries is 
capable of becommg. It may. in addition, 
be regarded as corroborative of the justness 
of the position taken by the advocates of a 
mail steamer line between this country and 
Africa. We are by no means disposed to 
look invidiously on" the enterprising spirit 
exhibited abroad for .securing a closer con- 
nexion witli a country, the great mercantile 
wcaltli of which is yet, comparatively speak- 
in"-, untouched, this spirit should have on 



40 



lis no other than a stimulating cfTect. Be- 
sides, for years, if not ajjos to come, the trade 
with Africa can admit ol' no very close com- 
petition. The promised vastness of this 
trade, whilst exciudiuji all idea of monopoly, 
must continue to excite to new cnterjjrise 
by its unlimited rewards. It is unueces.sary 
that we should exhiliit statistics to show her 
how largely llntrland has i)een Ijenefited by 
per.'^everinjr thouirh frc(iucntly interrupted 
communication ^vith the interior parts of 
that gieat continent. nor to make plain how, 
with better knowlcdsje and more ready 
means of access, mercantile risks will be 
lessened and mercantile profits enlarged. 
It will be remembered that the Con- 
gi-essional committee to whom the question 
of establishing mail steamers between this 
country and Africa was referrcfl. adverted 
in their report to the aid its adoption would 
afford in the con«iunmation of the plans of 
the Colonization .Society. On tlie intimate 
i-elation between the one and the other, it 
was supposed that a good part of the re- 
quired success was dependant. J t is some- 
thing singiUar that the colored race — those 
in reality most interested in the future 
destinies *of Africa — .should be so lightly 
affected l)y the evidences continually being 
presented in favor of colonization. He will 
do a service to this country' as well as 
Afi-ica who shall do any thing to open the 
eyes of the colored race to the advantages 
of cmigi'ation to the fertile and. to them, 
congenial sliores of Africa. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE NEW. 
YORK PRESS. 

JOURNAL OF COMMERCE. 

The removal of free bUicks to the coast 
of Africa, i.s regarded as a measure in 
which all .sections of the country are 
equally concerned ; and hy which all in- 
terests, and chiefly those of the emigrants 
themselves, are essentially promoted. But 
there are various other considerations 
which justly commend the projec! to ])ub- 
lic liivor. The pkmting and huilduig up 
of Christian colonies on the coast of Afri- 
ca, is certainlj' one ol" the eflfective obsta- 
cles to, if not the only practical preventive 
of tlie prosecution of the slave trade. 'I'lie 
extension of our steam marine, is also of 
paramount importance, in the increased fii- 
cilitieb it atibrds to commerce, and the 
Ktrenffth it adds to the arm which is eetub- 
linhedfor it-s ilrRncp and protection. 



WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE OP THE 

SAME. 

Mr. Stanton of Tennessee has entered 
zealously into the project of a line of 
steamers to Liberia, and must eventually 
succeed, so very proper, suitable, and im- 
portant is the measure. As Chairman of 
the Naval Committee, too, his recommen- 
ilations and clForts must command the con- 
fidence and support of Congress. As a 
Democrat of the first water, his party will 
trust him, wliile the Whigs will have no 
reason to distrust him. As a southern man 
he will not be suspected of aiding abolition- 
ism. As a colonizatioiiist, he must secure 
troops of supporters. National pride 
welling up in many bosoms, will be un- 
willing that Great Britain should so lar 
excel our steam marine, while the sum of 
our tonnage exceeds her own. It is one 
of those national, usel'ul, practicable mea- 
sures, which the great body of the people 
will sustain. 



THE SAME. 

Colonization. — Memorials have been 
presented in the Senate from Penn.sylvania, 
South Carolina, Kentucky, and other 
States, praying that, with a view to re- 
move from our land the greatest cause of 
discord, and to secure tlie future welfare, 
harmony, and permanency of the union, 
Congress ])ass a law providing means to 
remove from our country all tiiat portion 
of the African race who are both willing 
and ready to emigrate to Africa ; that suit- 
alile provision be made for tlieir real wants 
lor one year after their arrival in Africa ; 
and as a greater inducement for them lo 
emigrate, that a bounty in land be given 
them on their arrival, ujron which, with in- 
dustry and economy, the}' ma}' support 
themselves ; and make such other provi- 
sion as may be most desirable. 

The best provision for this object that 
Congress can make, is. to aid in the estab- 
lif^hment of a line of first class steam 
packets tor Liberia — to carry passengers 
and ojK-n a trade. 



cot;rier and inquirer. 

Mr. Stanton's Report discusses all the 
questions connected with this enterprise, 
with signal ability, and presents an array 
of facts, which, if properly weighed, can- 
not fail to exert a large and favorable in- 
fluence upon the opinion of Congress. 



41 



Aside from the noble object of coloiiiziiij; 
our tree population in Liberia, wiiicli has 
so long engaged the attention of statesmen 
and philanthropists, and which this scheme 
proposes to accomplish in a more feasible 
lorm than has ever before been suggested, 
there are considerations of a national char- 
acter, which entitle it to the serious atten- 
tion of legislators. It contemplates the 
extension ol" our commercial relations with 
a remote and comjjaratively unexi>lored re- 
gion ; it opens new chamiels of conummi- 
cation with distant countries, securing 
regularity and rapid intercourse, and if 
carried out, it will add to that maritime 
power, which is one of the great sources 
of the wealth and strength of the Govern- 
ment. With a sagacious ibresight. Great 
Britain was the first to adopt the policy of 
building up a steam navy, by extending 
her favor to the construction of mail steam- 
ships, which might, in case oi' necessity, 
be converted into vessels of Avar. The re- 
sults of this policy have been witnessed. 
Until a very recent period, she has mo- 
nopolized the travel and a large part of 
the trade between the two countries, and 
it is onlj'- now that she is beginning to feel 
the cfTects of vigorous competition. In the 
limited aid which Congress contributed to 
private enterprise of this sort, a valuable 
precedent was established, which has been 
attended Avith results far be3'on(l the ex- 
pectations of its most sanguine triends. If 
we are to keep apace with Great Britain 
in the improvements in steam marine, and 
to contest the supremacy of the sea, Con- 
gress must lend its influence and patron- 
age, as the British Government has done, 
and by liberal legislation encourage the 
construction o'C steamers that Avill connect 
with every c^uarter of the globe. Objec- 
tions have been urged against this project, 
because it may be prolitable to the origin- 
ators. Without any other knowledge on 
this point than that derived from a careful 
examination of the public documents, it 
does seem to me that such an objection is 
wholly discreditable. Individuals and com- 
panies do not start enterprises to lose by 
them, and if they are remunerated, what 
disadvantage is that to any body, if the 
public interests have been promoted 1 
This proposition deserves to be considered 
in its public aspect and no other. 



THE SAME. 

The proposition to establish a line of 
Mail Steamers between this country and 



the coast of Africa, enlists very prcnernl 

luvor. So far as its icadin;:; oKjiTts arc con- 
cerned it meets little opiiosition. 'I'lir U- 
nelicent fllw-ts of iui-rcasiii;:; cDniiiiiniication 
with that country. an<l of c-oloni/.int: it with 
free negroes from the Tnitcd Slalis. are 
A'ery palpalilo. Frei' negroes in this coun- 
try are, and undoubtedly always will be, in 
a positi(m of decidt'd inleriority. They can 
never gain that e(|uality of 'rank, and of 
social and political condition, essential to 
the development of their liicultics and to 
the attainment of that degree of Iiai)i)iness 
and of social jirospcrily for which they may 
be fitted. ExjHirience. moreover, has .shown 
that in Liberia they can plant colonics 
which will take an honoraljlo rank among 
eonnnunities. in all the respects which mark 
progress in civilization and in n)oralitv. 
An independent government has alreaiiy 
l)ecn established tliere, which is doing ix- 
marka])ly well, and it needs only the aid of 
increased innnigration to carry it forward 
with rapidity and substantial stiengtb. 
The friends of this project insist, that from 
eight to twelve thousand free negroes may 
be exported every year by three ships, imd 
that after two years tluy will be able to 
sustain themselves, and that the colony ^\■\ll 
readily absorli and employ any number that 
may be taken thither. 

This esta1)lishm(>nt of Colonies on the 
coast of Africa, will doubtless greatly aug- 
ment the commerce of this country. In 
palm oil, for which there is a constantly 
increasing demand in gold, which is found 
at vjuious points of the coast, in ivory, 
coffee, cam and other dye-woods, gums of 
various kinds, and in many fruits peculiar 
to tropical regions, there will undoubtedly 
be an extensive and increasing traflic. 
Great Britain has hitherto enjoyed nearly 
the whole trade Avilli that section, and in 
many of the articles named it is ver^' large 
and profitable. 

The Xaval Committee in the House of 
Kcprcsentativcs has made a Report highly 
favorable to the project, and it has enlisted 
very ardent advocacy both in and out of 
Congress. 



COM.MERCI.^L ADVERTISER. 

Steam Ships to Africa. — Readers in- 
terested in the cause of colonization and in 
the welfare of the African race, will proba- 
bly remember a remark made by -Mr. 
Webster, in his place in the Senate, during 
the present session, to the et^V^ct that he 
should be quite disposed to enter into a 



42 



scheme of coloniziition. to I)e carried on hy 
the L'nited States (Government, for the 
transportation of free people of color to anj^ 
designated place, and to incur almost any 
amount of expense to accomplish that 
ohject. More to the same purport did that 
great and far-seeing statesman utter to the 
same effect on that occasion, showing that 
he cared for the present and prospective in- 
terests of the colored race, and pointing to 
the wise policy by \v'hich most readily, if 
not alone, tliey could bo benefited — that of 
removing to their native shores those who 
have alreaily achieved their freedom. ^Vc 
liave little hesitation in saying that our 
Government nuist sooner or later adopt 
some such measures. Numerous facts and 
arguments pointing to such an ultimatum 
are within the purview of evcr^- intelligent 
person, an<l for the last two or three years 
the conviction that such a result must come 
has been gradually growing into a deeply 
rooted and almost imiversal public senti- 
ment. 

Had the time and temper of Congress 
during its present session been less en- 
grossed with our internal difiiculties, its 
earnest attention would probably have been 
directed to tliis very subject, and possibly 
it would have devised some compreliensive 
scheme by which an object so desirable 
might >)e promoted. Liberia would of 
course be the point of destination, the Gov- 
ernment availing itself of the thriving 
republic which private benevolence has 
e.staljli.shed. Early hi the session a memo- 
rial was presented to Congi-e.ss upon this 
subject 1>y !Mr. Joseph Bryan, of Alabama. 
and other enterprising gentlemen, praying 
the aid of the Federal Government in the 
establishment of a line of steamships be- 
tween the United vStates and the western 
coast of Africa, the primary design of which 
is to pi'omote the emigration of free per.sons 
of color to Liberia, and its subordinate pur- 
poses to increase our steam navy and to 
extend the commerce of this coimtry. The 
subject has not been reached in the order of 
Congressional legislation, to the regret of 
many who deem the present an exceedingly 
favorable opiiortunity for trying an exjieri- 
ment which, if successful, would accomi)li.sh 
what mistaken philanthropists have vainly 
sought to afliievc by other means — the 
genei-al melioration of the condition of the 
colored race. 

^v The nienioi ial was referred lo tlie com- 
mittee on naval aifairsin the House of Hep- 
rescututives. of which Mr. Stanton, of 'IVn- 
ne.s.sce, is chairinan, whose rejtort is before 
US. It is favorable to the memorialists, and 



the views of the committee are ably sup- 
ported ))y argimient. It first directs at- 
tention to the minor branch of the subject 
so far as the memorialists are concerned, 
but in reality the major so far as relates to 
the participation of Government in the en- 
terprise — its relation to the steam navy. 
The committee recommend that the praj-er 
of the memorialists be granted on the 
ground that it is desii-able to extend the 
.system, recently commenced bj' Congress, 
of creating a powerful sLcam navy to be em- 
ployed in time of peace in carrying the 
mails, and for the general purposes of com- 
merce, but at all times subject to the requi- 
sitions of (government. At the clo.se of the 
year 1845 the effective steam navy of Great 
Britain numbered one hundred and ninety- 
nine vessels ; that of France fifty-four ; 
that of Russia, exclusive of the Caspian 
fleet, thirty-two ; while the steam nav}' of 
the United States consisted of l)ut six small 
vessels, one of which was fitted up for har- 
bor defence onlj", and another was a steam 
tug. 

Since 1845 England has greatly increased 
this arm of power. In 184G the Britisii 
Government enlarged its contract with Mi-. 
Cunard and his associates, empowering 
them to add lour large steamers to those 
already built, and increasing the compensa- 
tion for mail service to nearh" $750,000 per 
annum. About the same time, we believe, 
it contracted with the Peninsidar and Ori- 
ental Steam Navigation (Jompany for seven 
similar steamci's ; for four others to run 
from Valparaiso to Panama ; in 1848 for 
twelve others running between (Jreat Brit- 
ain and European continental ports ; and 
others are believed to be in contenii)lation 
to run to Australia. These are to be added 
to a small fleet of steamers, fourteen in 
number, of the Royal M;iil Steamship Com- 
pany, and four Cunarders, estal)lished ]>ri(ir 
to i845. These all, we believe, receive the 
aid of Government on the express condition 
that they shall be hehl subject to the use of 
the nation as war steamers whenever re- 
quired, on the same jirinciplc as has been 
more recentlj' acted ui)on liy our Govern- 
ment, ajul as is incorporated in the memo- 
rial of Mr. Bryan and his associates. 

It will be .seen. Iberclbre, at a glance, that 
l!io liritish Govennnent is largely availing 
itself of this econoniiral mode of increasing 
its naval strenglli. Xt)r has our own 
(Jovernment been idle in the matter. Since 
1.S45 Congress has provided for the building 
of four war steamers and seventeen large 
steamships suitable for war pur])o.scs. and 
at all times liable to be taken for the public 



43 



service. There is, however, inarp;iii eiioujrh 
still (or such entoriirisc; with iulv;intii,ue to 
the nation, if judiciously divcctod. Con- 
sidering the p,Teat national p;ood that woidd 
be etiected by such a measure, and the 
benevolence of its aims, it seems to u.'5, that 
the establishment of a line of steamers be- 
tween this country and Liberia Vi'ould be a 
judicious use of national aid. Such a move- 
ment would free us from what must always 
be a burden and a source of trouble and 
vexation ; would be a boon <j) a race that has 
suffered much wrong and oppression at our 
hands; would materially stren<^then the 
infant Keiniblic which tlie sons of Ilam 
have set up ; would thereby promote, more 
rapitUy and certainly than any othei- agency . 
the extinction of the slave trade ; and would 
increase the means by which nations com- 
mand respect. The committee m-ged, 
secondly, this aspect of the question as a 
reason for their favorable report. 

So great an entei'prise cannot prol)a]>ly lie 
carried out by unaided individual resources. 
Nor for the reasons already given does it ap- 
pear just or expedient that it should. It is 
one so vitally affecting national interests that 
national aid may well be given in further- 
ance of its purposes. But the committee 
suggest some slight modification of the 
memorialists' plan. They propose three 
shij)S instead of four ; one to leave New 
York, Baltimore, and New Orleans, respec- 
tively, every three months; each'vessel to 
be of four thousand tons and to cost not 
more than $900,000 ; to be commanded by 
an officer of the navy, with four jjassed mid- 
shipmen for watch officers. The contrac- 
tors to carry all emigrants wliom the 
American Colonization Society maA' send at 
$10 each when more than twelve yeai-s of 
age, and at $5 when younger, including 
sailors' rations and transportation of bag- 
gage. Two of the vessels to be ready for 
sea in two years and a half; the other in 
three years. The Government to advance 
two thirds of the cost of construction, 
secured by a lien on the ship, iuid to pay 
$-1:0.000 for each trip. The expense of each 
trip is estimated at $50,000. 

The committee also, and in this we think 
they are right, do not concur in the proposals 
of the memorialists to be permitted to im- 
port the produce of Liberia into the United 
States free of duty. They prefer that the 
remuneration of the contractors, whatever 
it may be, shall go in the form of a direct 
payment of money. This we esteem the lar 
sounder principle. The other would open 
the source of constant jealousy and dissatis- 
faction on the part of those sections of the 



country with the staples of which Liberiim 
]iroduce might hereafter oonw in coiiiim.- 
tition. 'J'here can 1)C no doiiht tliat ilie 
establislmieut of vigorous colonics along the 
Western coast of .Vfrica will in course tti' 
time greatly extend the commerce of the 
United States. At the present day the 
British conmiercc with Africa amounts to 
twenty-live millions of dollars ainiuallv. 
Let but the .slave traile be abolished, and the 
attention of tlie natives as well as colonists 
be tuiued to the arts of peace, and a vast 
commerce nuist be the result. We shall 
rejoice if the Government of the United 
States takes a prominent ))art in bringing 
about so desirable an iniiirovcnient in the 
CO udition of Africa. 



TRIBUNE. 

Mail Steamers to Atrica a.nu thf; 
Mediterranean. — When the Report Inst 
appeared of the Naval Conmiittee of the 
House of Representatives in favor of Govern- 
ment aid to the establishment of a lino 
of gigantic ^lail Steamers to Africa, the 
project was met b}' wholesale deminciation 
from the Erening- Post, and Tlic Trihuie 
was singled out and required to explain and 
justify the Connniitee's project. \\'e re- 
sponded l>v publishing the Committee's 
Keport and making such corrections of 
the Post's assertions as that Ileport 
enabled us to do. We have since pub- 
lished two or three articles explaining 
and commending the Committee's views, 
and we this morning make room for an 
aide, elaborate, and we think triumphant 
viiidication of the mail steamer project, by 
Thos. J. Durant, Esq., of New Orleans, 
which we commend to the attention of 
commercial men especially'. To us it .seems 
clear that a regular monthlv steam mail 
from the chief .seaports of this country suc- 
ccs.sively to the West Coast of Africa and 
the Strait of Gibraltar, there to connect 
with such lines as France and England will 
have established on the ^Mediterranean, can- 
not fail to j)rove highly advantagtH)us to the 
commerce and industry of our wholecountry. 
by opening new markets for many of our 
pi-oducts and ensuring a lucrative return 
trade in articles which do not compete with 
and depress our own labor, ihit the ad- 
vantages of the enterprise are so fully set 
forth bv Mr. Durant that we leave tlie 
argument in his hand.s. 

We are in favor of the judicious and well 
ordered extension of our Steam ^lail ser- 
vice, but only on condition that it shall 



44 



measurably superswle and fill the place of 
our old-fftshioneil Navy. Building shij).s of 
war to make a jiaiade voyage occasionally, 
and then rot, is wretched econoni}" and no 
statesmanship at all. But lines of Mail 
Steamers of the very first class, constantly 
useful and paying a good .'>hare of their 
cost by the conveyance of Mails and ]\Ier- 
chandise. ihc^e we regard as the only Naval 
defenses adapted to the stirring age wherein 
we live. Had a war suddenly broken out 
with Great Britain any time from 1830 to 
1840. oui' valuable I'acitic whale ilect. our 
vastly and richly freighted ships in the 
China trade. &c., might have been swept 
from the ocean, while wholly unconscious 
of danger. Even iii our late AVar, had 
3Iexico possessed a particle of Military 
spirit and Naval power, slie might have de- 
stroyed half our whale ships before news of 
the war i-eached them. ]Mail Steamships 
now fbi'm the Telegi-aphic lines of the 
ocean, and the Nation which has most of 
them cannot fail of enjoying immense com- 
mercial advantages. One first class Mail 
Steamship, at the command of the Govern- 
ment, and ready to lie fully armed at short 
notice, must be worth sevei-al men-of-war. 
and ought not to cost more per annum than 
one of them. "We hope to sec the day 
when our whole Naval aristocracy, instead 
of drawing pay for " waiting orders." will 
be employed in ^lail Steamers, and thus 
made acquainted with all the coasts and 
harbors of the habitable glolje. while our 
old-fashioned sailing vessels, a few small 
ones excepted, shall have ceased to trouble 
the ocean or deplete the treasury. A naval 
force thus constituted and employed might 
be rendered twice as effectual as our old 
one. at a less cost to the treasury. JIow 
long must we wait for it ? 

By the wa}' : A friend writes that we 
were wrong in suggesting that Congi'css 
might j)roperly give the conti'act for the 
African line of Steani.ships to some other 
than the original proposers, if their terms 
and propo.sals. as modified, should be 
deemed acceptable. On this point we only 
meant that Congress miglit very properly 
reject unflt or unwortliy men. or exorbi- 
tant terms, should such be jjroffered. P.ut 
the main (pieslion is not who should do it. 
but wlather the (Jovernment shouI<l em- 
bark in the enterprise at all. and to that 
point our remarks were mainly directed. 



TRIBUNE. 
[Dec. 25, 1850.J 

Africa and Stea.ai Ships. — If but a 
single line of Steam-ships is to be authorized 
this Session — and the state and prospects 
of the finances must counsel frugality and 
caution — we think a line to Africa fairly 
entitled to the preference. That continent 
on its western side is comparatively proxi- 
mate and accessible ; it is filled with inhabi- 
tants who need, the articles we can abund- 
antly f^ibricate. and it is the ancestral .soil 
of more than three millions of our people — 
of a Race on whose account we are deeply 
debtors to Justice and to Heaven. That 
Bace is more plastic and less conservative 
than the Chinese; their soil produces in 
spontaneous profusion many articles which 
are to us comforts and luxuries, while 
nearly every thing we produce is in eager 
demand among its inhal)itants. if the}' can 
but find the where\vithal to pa}- for them. 
Instead of being a detriment and a depress- 
ion to our own manufjicturing and me- 
chanical industr}-, as the trade induced by 
our costly Steamship lines to Liverpool, 
Bremen and Havre mainly is. all the com- 
merce witli Africa which a more intimate 
communication with her would secuj-e 
would be advantageous to every department 
of American Labor. Her surplus products 
are so diverse from ours, that no collision of 
interests between her producers and ours 
could ever bo realized, while millions' 
worth of her tropical products which will 
not endure the slow and capricious trans- 
portation which is now their only recourse, 
would come to us in good order by steam 
.ships, and richly reward the labor of the 
gatherers and the enterprise of the im- 
porters. 

But the Social and ISToral aspects of this 
.subject are still more important. "We are 
now expending life and treasure, in concert 
with other nations, to sui)prcss the African 
slave trade, and it is now generally con- 
ceded that such suppression can never be 
effected l)v the means jiitherto relied on. 
The colonization of the .«:lave coast, with 
direct reference to its christianization and 
civilization, is the only .sure means of i)ut- 
ting an end to this inhuman traffic. And 
this colonization, all who are interested in 
the work seem heartily to agree, would be 
immensely .accelerated by the establishment 
of a line of Ati'ican steamships. Liberia, 
now practically distant as Uuenos Ayres, 
would by such a line be brought as near us 
;us Bremen, and the ports regularly visited 
by our sleuuiers could jiot fail rajjidly to 



45 



assume importanco as centers of commerce 
and of mcreasing intelligence and industry. 



HERALD. 

American Mail Contract System. — 
"We have already directed tiie public atten- 
tion to the report of the Naval Committee, 
lately presented to the House of Represen- 
tatives, in favor of the establishment of a 
line of mail steamships to the western coast 
of Africa, and thence via tlie ]Mediterra- 
nean to London, designed to promote the 
emigration of free persons of color from the 
United States to Liberia ; also to increase 
the steam navy and to extend the com- 
merce of the United States. It will be 
found that the report of the committee 
differs most materially from the memorial 
of Judge Bryan and others, to Congress, 
which asked for the establishment of a line 
of steamers to run only between the United 
States and Liberia. We regarded that pro- 
ject, when it was first presented to the 
public notice, as utterly impracticable. But 
the establishment of a line of steamships to 
run not merely to Africa, but also to open 
up the Mediterranean trade to American 
enterprise, and to touch at the principal 
ports of Spain, Portugal and France, and 
bring the mails fi'om all those points and 
from Loudon, is a totall}' diiFerent affair. 

The report of the committee is a very 
able one. It begins by showing that it is 
expedient to extend the system recently 
commenced by Congress, which has for its 
object the creation of a powerful steam navj^, 
to be used in time of peace in carrying the 
mails, and in effecting great public objects 
not to be attained by private enterprise 
without the aid of Congress. 

The report shows the weakness of our 
steam navy, as compared with those of 
France and England, and particularly dwells 
upon the example of England in establish- 
ing lines of steamers built so as to be easily 
converted into ships of war, to be emploj^ed 
in commerce, and for carr^n'ng mails, but 
being at all times subject to the requisition 
of the government. This, it is contended. 
is the cheapest mode of i^roviding in time of 
peace for the exigencies of war. As shown 
in our columns a few weeks since, by a com- 
parative statement of the steam na%aes of 
France and England, wliich are nearly equal 
in force, the latter power is relying mainly 
for its maritime supremacy upon its fleets of 
mail steamers, which can, at a short notice, 
be converted into vessels of war. Every 
now and then we hear of the extension of 



tliis system. During the prc.<;cnt year, 
fresh contracts have been made for lines of 
Briti,sh mail steamers to Brazil, the Cape of 
Good Hope, Australia, &c. ; and it iijipenrs 
that there are nearly one hundred and lifty 
of these ships in the service of the govern- 
ment. It cannot be suppo.'X'd tliat tlie mails 
to and from Brazil, for example, will pay the 
expenses ; but the British governiueut is 
content to pay a good round sum for the 
support of this line of steamers, rather than 
be compelled to keep war steamers in com- 
mission to float about and do notliing. Not 
only is there a considerable difterence in tho 
expense in favor of the mail steamers, but 
due regard is also had to the fact that tho 
commerce of the country is ext-'uded by 
them, and English power and inlluence felt, 
through their instrumentality, all over the 
would. In this country, no plan for increa.s- 
ingour naval strength could be more popular 
than this ; and it is clear that, with the great 
increase in the extent of our coasts, and the 
vast expansion of our commerce, itbi-hoovcs 
us to .see that our steam navy is kept upon 
a respectable footing. The "report of the 
Naval Committee recommends that tiio 
steamers in cjuestion shall lie of not less 
than four thousand tons burthen, shall be 
built under the direction of a government 
surveyor, and commanded by officers of tlie 
I United States Navy. They are to be con- 
structed expressly for war purposes, and are 
to be used in the public service whenever 
required, the contractors being paid the 
I value according to an appraisement. 
[ In addition to the conveyance of free 
I colored persons from the United States to 
Liberia, under the superintendence of the 
American Colonization Society, of which 
Henry Clay is the President, these ships 
will touch at Gibraltar, and there connect, 
we presume, with a line of steamers plying 
on the Mediterranean — thence they will 
proceed to Cadiz, Lisbon, and some port in 
France — probably Ha\Te — to London. It 
is impossible to estimate the extent of tho 
trade that will be thus opened up for our 
merchants and manufacturers. 

The advantages secured by the proposed 
line of steamers arc fourlold, thus : — 

1. An increase of our steam navy, at a 
moderate expense. 

2. The carrying of the mails from the 
Mediterranean, the Peninsula, France, and 
London. 

3. The encouragement of the emigration 
of free blacks from the United States to 
Liberia. 

4. The extension of American commerce 
and influence in Western Africa, and tho 



49 



adjacent Islands, the Mediterranean, Spain, 
Portupral, France, and England. 

5. The opportunity of making our naval 
officers practically acquainted with steam 
as a motive iiowor lor naval purposes. 



herald, dec. 17, 1850. 

The Colony of Liberia and its Pros- 
pects. — Bv every arrival from Liberia, we 
lea.-n that the colony of free negroes liom 
the United States is jirogressing at a rate 
truly astonishing, and that, belbre many 
years, it promises to be a .^strong and power- 
iul republic. The experiment of selfgov- 
ernment has been completely successtbl ; 
the educational interests of the inhabitants 
are duly cared for ; civilization is making 
great headway among the aborigines, and, 
by means of Liberia, there is a very flat- 
tering prospect ol' the slave trade on tlie 
coast" of Africa being entirely destroyed. 
Governor Roberts, a very inteUigent color- 
ed man. oi" mi.xed blood, goes even so far 
as to say that Liberia is destined to rival 
the United States, and that both republics, 
by a unity of action, can civilize and chris- 
tianize the Avorld. and especially benighted 
Africa. We are pleased to hear such'good 
accounts from Liberia, and we shall always 
be pleased to hear of its success, and of the 
progress and welfare of its inhabitants. 
Founded, as it has been, by American phi- 
lanthropists, and peopled by our emanci- 
pated slaves, the United States will ever 
watch its progress with interest, and aid 
and assist it as far as it possibly can. 

It is a curious fact that our domestic abo- 
litionists have always opposed tlie coloniza- 
tion principle, and denounced, in their usu- 
al violent manner, all connection with the 
scheme. They did so from the first, and 
they do so still, notwithstanding the tri- 
umphant success which has attended it. 
This, however, is easily explained. Every 
negro wlio embarks lor Liberia abstracts 
from their capital, and reduces their ad- 
herents one lcs.s. While tliese sticklers for 
negro liberty, and unrestrained freedom to 
the whole world and the rest of mankind, 
will not associate with a colored man. tliey 
are oppo?;i;d to ibis most humane and most 
philanthropic nutliod oi' conferring liberty. 
)n the real sf^nseof the term, on the cinan 
cipated blacks of tlie Suutliern States. 
They will allow the negro whom they 
helped to steal, to clean their hoots and to 
drive their carriages; but they will not al- 
low them to aspire any higher. Liberia 
willj however, prosper, in spite of them. 



It has prospered and increased without 
their aid, and it will continue to do so. It 
has been said, and witii a good deal of 
reason, that the institution of slaverj' in 
the United States will, in all ])robability, 
yet be the means of civilizing and chris- 
tianizing Africa. The prospect is certain- 
ly very flattering for such a consummation. 
As it is, the emancipated negroes of Liberia 
have made a deep impression on the abo- 
rigines in their vicinity, and are daily add- 
ing to their population, resources, and 
strength, from the surrounding tribes. If 
that colony should increase, ibr twentv or 
fitty years to come, as it has increased from 
the time of its foundation, it Avill exercise 
as great a control and influence in Africa 
as this republic does in America. It will 
expand its territorial limit.?, and by degrees 
take under its protection tribes who are 
wild and untutored, and the civilization 
of whom could never be accomplished by 
the white race, in consequence of climate 
and other obstacles. The negro of the 
United States is at home there, and has 
ample scope for the exercise of his am- 
bition. II Africa should, in course of time, 
be regenerated through the means of our 
emancipated negroes, who will say that 
slavery in the United States Avas not de- 
signed lor a good purpose ? From the 
progress of Liberia to this time, such really 
seems to be the prospect. That colony 
has already done as much to put a stop to 
the slave trade, as the combined fleets of 
England and the United States. It has 
broken up one or two trading establish- 
ments, wliich were in existence lor a long 
time, and from which, notwithstanding all 
the vigilance of our navy officers and 
those of England, a great many slaves 
were shipped every year to Cuba. Brazil, 
and other countries. If it has done so 
much already, what will the colony do in 
a lew years hence, when it becomes a 
strong and powerful country, as it promises 
to do^? 



EXPRESS. 

The pnoposED Line of Steamers to 
Africa. — Hon. Mr. Stanton, the present 
Chairmanof the Committee on Naval Af- 
fu'rs in the IIousi; of Representatives, 
having solicited I'rom his distinguished pre- 
deces.sor in thatolliee. Hon. Thomas Butler 
King, such suggestions as might occur to 
his mind lavorable or unfavorable to the 
project of estal)li.shini): a line of mail steam- 
ships between the United States and th» 



47 



coastf of Africa, Mr. King replies in an in- 
teresting letter, which is pubhshed in tlic 
Washington RepubHc of Saturday. Thf 
long experience of Mr. King on the Naval 
Cominittee imparts great weight to iiis 
opinion on a matter of this character. He 
considers the subject as one of the utmost 
importance to tiie whole country, and ex- 
presses his conviction that there is as little 
doubt of the expediency of colonizing the 
free people of color of the United States. 
on the coast of Africa, as that a steam 
navy is necessary if we intend, in the event 
of war, to protect our commerce, or defend 
our seacoast from ruinous blockades and 
actual invasion. Mr. King warmly ap- 
proves of the proposition to have the steam- 
ers of the largest class, such as may be 
readily converted into war vessels, should 
Government ever so require. He refers to 
the excellence oi' the policy of Great 
Britain in all that respects her steam ma- 
rine, not only on that coast, but everywhere 
else. All who who would compete with 
that great naval power must either lead 
or follow in the improvements she has 
made, and is now mal\ing, in that respect, 
or else yield their commerce to support her 
power. Construct the steamers at once. 
says Mr. King, and there cannot be a 
doubt, he thinks, that the money annually 
paid for the conveyance of letters and 
other mailable matter at sea, by passengers 
and for freight on passage goods, will be 
amply sufficient to support a steam navy, 
powerful enough to crush all the sailing 
navies of the present day. Mr. King is 
opposed to establishing a Government con- 
nection w^ith the African coast other than 
with steamers. Steam must not be thrown 
away for the wind, if we desire to main- 
tain an equality with the Ibremost mari- 
time nations of the present day. 



FROM THE SAME. 

If we can line the coast with settlers, 
natives or descendants of Africa, we may 
hope ere long, under the influence of Re- 
ligion and Education, and through the de- 
velopments of trade and enterprise, to see 
the slave trade at an end, Africa civilized, 
and in time restored to something of the 
splendor of her ancient fame. 



FROM THE SAME. 

Progress of Liberia. — Liberia is pro- 
gressing rapidly and prosperously. Massa- 



sachusetts has chartered a college for Libe- 
ria, and paid SKS,OOU. Two brothers, res d- 
ing in Louisville ami Cincinnati, oiler to p ly 
the ('xpcMiKi's of ;i Batavia mission in t ic 
interior ol" Africa. An experienced geoo- 
gist oilers to nitike a survey, if means are 
found to delray his cxpenscp. Tlic 8 nn 
of $10,000 has ber;n given by a citizen of 
Philadelphia, the net income of which is 
to be appropriated to j)ay the expenses ot 
Sunday schools in Liberia. William Short, 
Esq. has left $10,000 lor the Colonizatioii 
Society. The free negroes ol' the British 
West India I.slands are organizing to 
emigrate to Africa with considerable stock 
and means. 

New York, too, has contributed $1,800 
to send the Rogers slaves to Liberia. 

These are glorious evidences of the re- 
generation of Africa, and it ought to glad- 
den the hearts ot all here that America, 
which has done so nmch wrong to the Al- 
rican race through the slave trade, is to be 
the chiei' instrument of her moral and 
political regeneration. 



SUN. 

The report of the Naval Committee ot 
the House, recommending the establish- 
ment, by aid of government, of a line ot 
gigantic mail steamers to Africa, has re- 
ceived the almost unanimous sanction of 
the nation. The project has been advo- 
cated by some of the ablest minds in the 
country, and been received with marked 
favor by all sections of the people. Un- 
der these circumstances the public have a 
right to expect that Congress will not ad- 
journ without having given effect to the 
report of the Committee. Where great 
national interests are involved, as in this 
case. Congress should act with vigor, and 
despatch, as well as with judgment and 
precision. 



FROM THE SA.ME. 

We yesterday gave our views in favor 
of the proposed line of steamers between 
this country and Liberia, and expressed a 
hope that the project would meet with 
the sanction of Congress. For reasons 
already repeatedly urged by us, we be- 
heve that government should countennnce 
and assist all such projects when coming 
from responsible parties, and of a real and 
bona fide character. They should not be 
regarded as mere private speculations, but 



48 



as matters ol' great national concern. In 
tlie present position ol' tin- United States, 
and the attitude of the world generally, 
the aim of every American statesman 
should be the speedy attainment of a pow- 
erful and eliicient steam navy. In no 
way can this grand object be so easil)-, so 
cheaply, and so speedily attained, as by 
the liberal, and, at the same time, judicious 
co-operation ol' Government with private 
and individual enterprise, in the manner 
proposed. 



STAR. 

Emigration of Free Blacks to Afri- 
ca. — The time has at last arrived for 
eomething cHcctual to be done by Con- 
gress and State Legislatures, to assist the 
blades in colonizing Africa. It is admitted 
in all parts of the Union, the North as well 
as the South, that something should be 
done to improve the condition of the Iree 
colored population of the country — and it 
is clear, that as every effort has failed to 
abolish the slave trade, our next step is to 
settle and establish that population in the 
most ehgible portion of that continent, 
which belongs exclusively to them by- 
Divine gift, under the protection of the 
United Sjtates, and the great, powers of 
Europe. A project is now before Con- 
gress which merits the nn^st serious atten- 
tion of that honorable body, and which is 
pregnant witii great results. It is to es- 
tabh.sh a line of steamships between New 
York, Norfolk, Charicston, and New Or- 
leans, and the repubhc of Liberia, to con- 
vey emigrants under the direction of the 
American Colonizaiion Society, from the 
United States to that republic, at an ex- 
pense of only ten dollars lor each adult, 
including provisions. The ships are each 
to be of from 3 to 4,000 tons burthen, and 
to be so constructeil as to be easily con- 
verted into vessels of war. The projec 
tors of the plan are willing to build the 
6teamshij)s themselves at tlieir own ex- 
pense, but will require an annual appro- 
priation i'rom Congress for carrying the 
mails, and other contingencies, in consid- 
eration of the privilege concefle<l to lake 
the ships whenever required for the public 
service. No reasonable doubt can be en- 
tertained that from 10 to 12,000 blacks 
would emigrate annually to the various 
BCltlemcnts on the western coast of A frica. 
or 1000 by each steamer, making monthly 
or Fimi-quartcrly trips. There are. it is 
Bupi;oKfd, about 000,(100 free blacks in the 
Ui'itcd Slates, 60 that, if only one out of 



fifty was to emigrate, the ships would 
start with an adequate number of passen- 
gers. 

The climate and soil of Liberia are re- 
presented to be good in every respect, and 
there is every disposition to aid the colo- 
nists, both in this country and in Europe. 
The population is about 80,000, and is 
rapidly on the increase. They exercise 
great influence over the neighboring na- 
tions, and they have suppressed the slave- 
trade for 400 miles on the coast. It is true 
that but few of the free colored population 
have been willing to embrace the offer in 
emigrating to Liberia; they were appre- 
hensive of the voyage and of the climate, 
and want of employment. 

But there are abundant reasons for con- 
cluding that if the great stimulus is given 
to the cause oi' emigration, the public will 
be strongly roused in its favor. The va- 
rious State Legislatures would move in 
the matter ; the free blacks themselves 
will be induced to investigate the subject, 
and wUl discover that great advantages 
are now possessed by the colony, which it 
would be absurd in them not to avail 
themselves of at the earliest opportunity. 
The passage can be made readily in 12 or 
14 days, in fine steamers, and if thej- do 
not like their new homes they have the 
option of returning. The application of 
some of the steamers in time of peace for 
the objects above stated, will be one of the 
most popular measures which can be de- 
vised, and we trust that it will occupy 
the attention of Congress at an early 
day. 

Our blockading squadron on the coast 
of Africa costs us more than a million of 
dollars annually, without any good or be- 
neficial result. We cannot, in that way, 
put down African slavery ; but strengthen 
the arm of the free-colored emigrants, and 
they will not permit the blacks lo be 
shipped on board the slavers. Althouifii 
I'roviuence has, tor wise purposes, excluded 
the white men from that conynent, yet to 
the negro race it is the land oi" milk and 
honey: even bread grows there, and iruits 
in great abundance. 

In the midst of war and excitement 
between the North and South, this 
movement Avill please both parties well ; 
and gratily the North, while it will please 
the South. Let it be done promptly. 



<;i,OBF.. 
Thi: Colonization of the Africa.n 
Race. — The writer in the Commercial 



4a 



Advertiser of Wednesday, whose inten- 
tions are undoubtedly laudable, and whose 
love of country is apparent in all he eays, 
recommends that tiie Government should 
set apart some portion ot" the public do- 
main lor the purpose ofcolouizing the i'ree 
negroes and emancipated slaves. He is 
not the first philanthropist who has made 
this suggestion. Attempts have been made 
in several of the States to establish Afri- 
can colonies. They have been unsuccess- 
ful, and m some instances have totally 
failed ; in others, tiieir success has been in 
no measure commensurate v.'ith the cfl'orts 
made nor the expectations encouraged. 

We have long thought that all etibrts 
directed to the colonization of the negroes 
on this continent would prove illusory and 
fruitless for all practical purjjoses. Insup- 
erable difficulties embarrass any such 
scheme in the outset. What part of the 
national territory shall be devoted to this 
purpose ? What State would desire rising 
upon its borders a population consisting 
altogether of Africans? A climate North 
oi" the cotton growing region is uncongenial 
to the African constitution. A negro pop- 
ulation, experience has shown, will thrive 
neither in servitude nor freedom at the 
North. Settlements of Virginia negroes, 
transported to Ohio and started with farms 
and every facility ibr improving them, have 
languished and failed to i'ulSI the benevo- 
lent designs of their Ibunders. The ne- 
groes in these settlements have deteriorated 
in habits of industry and morality ; they 
have become too otten paupers and pests 
to the contiguous white community. 
Would Iowa or Alinnesota consent to the 
establishment of a negro territory in their 
vicinity ? We apprehend that no State 
in the Mississippi valley would approve of 
the creation of any such territory in that 
vast fertile region. If we seek in vain, 
therefore, for the negroes' home in that 
great valley, where else upon this great 
continent can it be sought'! A far supe- 
rior race to the African lias failed to main- 
tain itself before the advancing Anglo- 
Saxon. It has not been absorbed or 
amalgamated — it has wasted away and 
disappeared. And so it would be with 
any negro colonies which misdirected hu- 
manity shall attempt to establish on this 
continent. If the warhke and unconquer- 
able red man has been swept away and 
exterminated, how can the docile and 
eHeminate African maintain his ground? 

The writer in the Commercial Adver- 
tiser proposes to set aside a portion of the 
national territory on the Pacific coast, lor 



a Negro colony. The objcnions to such 
an appropriation of our public lands there 
are very obvious and numerous. The 
country is not susceptible of maintniiunjr 
a very dense population, and will all be 
occupie<l belbre the proposed colony could 
be I'stablished. The expense of trans- 
porting the free negroes or emancipated 
slaves would be greater than that ol' trans- 
porting them to Africa. The contiguity 
of white settlements would i)rove as grrat 
an obstacle to their colonization on iIil- Pa- 
cific coast as to their esud)lishmeiit hi the 
Mississipj)i valley — 

It is in vam to attempt, therefore, the 
formation of negro colonies on this conti- 
nent. No general concurrence ol' opinion 
can ever be obtained in its favor. 

We entirely agree with Commodore 
Stockton in the views taken by him in his 
recent letter on the subject of slavery and 
colonization. We think with him. that a 
wise Providence has pennilled slavery 
here, for the fulfilment of his own wise pur- 
poses. We think that slavery in America 
is but the herald ol' liberty and civihzation 
ibr Africa. 

Th^ first mention of the sale of a human 
being is that of Joseph to the .Midianite 
merchantmen. lie says himself in Genesis, 
chapter 50th, verse 2Uth, of his slavery : 
■• But God meant it unto good, to save 
much people alive." A great dispensation 
of Providence was wrought out ol' the 
bondage ol' Jo.seph. So also, it seems to 
us that the slavery of the African in the 
United States is designed by the inscrutable 
wisdom of Providence for the future ben- 
i efi t of Africa. 

Unless by restoring to Africa her own 
children, civilized, christianized, and educat- 
ed as they liavc become here, how elst- can 
her 150,0G0.(J00 of barbarian idolators and 
savages become enlightened or civilized ? 

That work can be accomplished onl}- by 
the Al'rican himself. It is for the accom- 
plishment of this Avork — the colonization 
and civilization ci' Africa by free and edu- 
cated Africans — that Providence, in our 
opinion, has permitted tlieir present ser- 
vitude in America. This is the benignant 
mission, the fulfilment ol'whicii has already 
commenced in tiie establishment ol' the 
Repubhcof Liberia. The views recently 
published by Commodore Stockton, on 
this subject, are entitled to great weight — 
for they are the result of the reflections of 
a quarter ol" a centur}-. It was througli 
his instrumentality that the territory where 
the Liberia Republic flourishes, was pur- 



60 



chased, and his attention has therefore 
been naturally directed for a long period 
of time to the colonization ofAlrica. Ilis 
mind has arrived at the conclusion, that 
the coloniz.itioa o!" Africa, with the Afri- 
cans of the United States, is the only way 
ol' civilizing Africa, as well as putting an 
end to the slave trade. 



FHOM THE SAME. 

If they, the Abolitionists, will make 
the colonization of the Africans now in 
the United States an issue, we will go 
with them before the laborers and pro- 
ducers of the free States at any time, and 
doubt not the latter will unaniaiously say. 
'■ Send the negroes to the land of their 
fathers, and save us from the evils of com- 
petition with them in the field and in the 
workshop. This would be an issue in its 
prac:ical effects, worth ten thousand Pro- 
visos^ whether we consider the good of the 
white or the black race. As slavery is 
abolished in the States where it now exists, 
the IVce negroes will crowd into the cities 
on the Atlantic shore. Are our me- 
chanics and laborers ready to receive 
them? is a question that admits of but one 
answer. Abolish slavery in the South, 
and allow emancipated negroes to settle 
among us, and in less than twenty years 
there will be a war of races in the North. 
unless colonization immediately Ibllows 
emancipation. 



FREEM.\>r3 (CATHOLIC) JOURNAL. 

A greatdealofattcntion is just now awak- 
ened, and we think deservedly, to a scheme 
for the establishment of a line of ocean 
steamers between the United States and 
the western coast of Africa. The plan 
proposes to carry out as emigrants, at a 
very low rate, free people of color for the 
purpose of colonizing the entire coast of 
Africa. The various objects to be thus 
promoted are the diminishing the number 
of tiie colored population in this country; 
the cutting off the slave trade in the only 
efficient way possible ; the gradual civil- 
ization of Africa ; and the opening a new 
line of trade, in the course of time, lor tlie 
commerce of the United States. The plan, 
as we have learned it from those ^l(^.^t ini- 
niediately interested, is liberal and free 
from all unjjli'UHant restrictions, and we 
are pleasitd tiiat the committee of the 
House to which it w;is refi-rred have rf- 



ported favorably upon it. We shall 
develope more fully the scheme in a future 
number ot" our paper. 



MIRROR. 

We think very well of this scheme for 
the Government and very well for the con- 
tractors. In the first place, though the 
number of negroes .supposed to be sent out 
is doubtless far greater than will really go, 
yet nevertheless there Avill be a sufficient 
numberto tell,to prevent the great increase 
of that population, and to inspire the black 
with the idea that there is a country where 
he can be a man. In the second place, the 
peopling of the coasts discourages, and will 
annihilate, the slave trade. In the third 
place, the engines of commerce will be 
made the engines of war, and we sliall 
have three steamships at a cheaper rate 
than we could otherwise o\\n\ them. In 
the fourth place, as these steamships sail 
from London, for every black taken out a 
white will be brousrht in. 



ROCHESTER DEMOCR.\T. 

So far as this project can give us the 
advantages of a lucrative trade, by estab- 
lishing on the coast of Africa a nation 
friendly toward us and united to us by pe- 
culiar ties — we do not suppose that even 
the manumitted and expatriated slave feels 
altogether hatefully toward the country 
and the people that held them in bonds — 
so far we think well ot' it. By all means 
let us help Ethiopia to lift up her hands 
unto God. To breaking up the Slave 
Trade and wiping out, even by gradual 
means, the dark curse of slavery from our 
soil, we say amen. There is time to think 
of all this. 



irriCA OBSERVER. 

The proposition is a fair one and made 
by a gentleman, who desires, by encou- 
raging colonization, to settle a sulUcitnt 
number of free negroes in Africa, to finally 
put down the slave trade. It luis bL( i 
proved by the experience of the Engli.-li 
Government as well as of our own, that it 
is impo.ssible to end this trade bj' means of 
vessels-of-war, cruising oil" the African 
coast. The slavers since vessels of war 
have boon on the coast have used smallor 



51 



and fleeter vessels, and have added much 
to the horrors of the trade and the sulL'r- 
ing Of' the kidnapped negroes. 



HIGHLAND (NEWBURGH) COURIER. 

Suppression of the Slave Trade. — 
It is now fully admitted that all the eilbrts 
of England to suppress the slave trade have 
failed, notwithstanding her expenditure of 
upwards of twenty millions sterhng in the 
attempt ; more good has been effected by 
the little American colony of Liberia on 
the western coast of Africa, than by the 
combined operations of all the great powers 
of Europe aided bythe American squadron. 
This country expends nearly a million a 
year upon that squadron, which isa Imost^ 
if not quite, useless. 

It is conceded by the British and For- 
eign Anti-slavery "Society, that the slave 
trade is increasing rapidly, and that the 
onl}'- way to suppress it is to establish colo- 
nies of free colored people on the African 
coast. Attempts have been made to in- 
duce a number of the colored people of 
the British West India Islands to emigrate 
to Africa, but as laborers are scarce, on 
those islands, and immigration instead of 
emigration is required^ these attempts 
have utterly i'ailed. 

We have now in this country about half 
a million of free colored people whose pres- 
enc3 is not required here, and most of 
whom could be induced to emigrate if pro- 
per means of conveying them to Liberia 
were afforded, together with a suitable 
provision for them on their arrival in that 
country. The time has at length arrived 
for something effectual to be done lor the 
benefit of the free colored population, and 
upon no subject could Congress evince lib- 
erality with so much benefit to the country. 
Itone-hali'the sum expended on the squad- 
ron off the coast of Africa were applied 
to the support of a line of Avar steamers, 
running in time of peace, with emigrants 
to Liberia, not only would the slave trade 
be destroyed, but in course of time civil- 
ization would be introduced into all parts 
of the benighted continent of Africa. 

We understand that a proposition has 
been made to Congress to establish such 
a line of steamers, that they are to be of 
the largest class, and that they would be 
much more available in war than the ships 
which we now keep employed on the Afri- 
can coast. We can see no reasonable 
objection to this project, but on the con- 
trary it appears clear to as that it merits 



the support of Congress and the rountry 
at larjje. It is warmly advocated by tijc 
Colonization Society, and we irtm that 
the several Stat.; Legislatures will re iddy 
aid in the good work, now ibatan adequ Uu 
and comprehensive plan fur the emigra- 
tion of free negroes is liiirly submitted' for 
the approbation of the public. 



PRESBYTERIAN. 

We perceive that the proposal to estab- 
lish this line of steamers is becoming en- 
tangled with the question of slavery' but 
we have been looking at it merely with 
reference to its influence on Africa, and re- 
joicing that a Committee in Congress have 
sufficient moral elevation and courage to 
bring the religious elements of tiie meas- 
ure dn-ectly before the House as a power- 
ful, even as the ciiief argument in favor of 
the gigantic scheme proposed. 

The American Colonization Society ia 
deeply interested in tlie measure, ancl is 
exerting all the moral power it can bring 
to bear for the purpose of securing its fa- 
vorable consideration. 



ROMAN (ROME, N. Y.) CITIZEN. 

The starting of this project is doubtless 
in a great measure owing to the success of 
the American Colonization Society in 
establishing the colony of Liberia, and if 
this bill becomes a law and is carried into 
operation, but a i'cw years will pass be- 
fore that country will become one of some 
importance. 

One of the greatest obstacles in the way 
of emancipation in this country, is the dif- 
ficulty of disposing of the slaves after they 
are freed. It is contended by the uphold- 
ers of Slavery in our southern States — 
and not without some show oi truth in the 
assertion they so often make — lir.it the 
condition ol' the free negroes at the North 
is not as happy and easy as that of the 
Slaves in the Southern States; this may 
be true if they draw their comparison be- 
tween the most degraded portion here, and 
the favored few there. In Iventucky there 
is a large class of her citizens who are in 
favor of abolishing Slavery provided some 
way can be devised to remove the negroes 
from the State after they are liberated. 
This feeling is based on the experience of 
the free States with their colored popula- 
tion; they make the poorest citizens we 
have amonof us. 



52 



We cannot see any good reason why 
colonies cannot W planted aloniz- tlie Alrl- 
can coast wherovor slave stations now 
exist; and one half the money now spent 
every year by this country and England 
in maintaining vessels of war there, would 
furnish these colonies with the means of 
protecting themselves. 

Tliere is another view of the subject 
which will doubtless be far more pleasing 
to that class who know no God but .\Jam 
mon. and who only value an undertaking 
by tiie projits it will yiehl. In a commer- 
cial point of view the subject is one of 
great importance. If colonies can be 
csti\bh'shed along Africa's Western Coast 
by emigrants from the United States, and 
cTTrnmunication kept up with them by 
means of a line of monthly steamers, w^e 
should be likely to secure almost the whole 
of their trade. At the present time our 
trade there is merely no7iiinal. and is sur- 
passed by eitiier of the West India Islands. 
Africa is prolific in the productions of na- 
ture, and only needs the assistance of 
civilization to enable her to gain her po- 
sition among the nations of the earth. 
Shall not America liave the honor of be- 
ing her guardian and instructor in this un 
dertaking ? Time will determine. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE PENN- 
SYLVANIA AND NEW 
JERSEY PRESS. 



THE PENNSYLVANI.VN. 

What shall be done with the Free 
Neghoes ? — The pi'oper anil practical an- 
swer to this question will do more to settle 
the difficultifs prowing out of the slave con- 
troversy than any other process, no matter 
how cogently presented, or how philosophi- 
cally argued. Our people are a common 
sense people. That suggestion which strikes 
them as most utilitarian — or, in other 
words, most rational — they seize upon witii 
avidity, and finally apply it in practice. 

It is not often that we .see this trait of 
American character so fully displayed as in 
the ciuse of the recent Report of the Xaval 
Committee of the H(juse of Representatives. 
in favor of establishing a line of mail steam 
ships to the West Coast of Afric;\, and 
thence, via the Mediterranean, to London, 
designed to promote the emigration of free 
persons of color from the United States to 



Liberia. The project developed and advo- 
cated in that Report has taken hold upon 
the public mind in all quarters. 

No reflecting man can deliberate upon 
this subject without feeling that it is one 
that involves considerations vitallj' aifecting 
the perpetuity of our political and social 
existence. It is intertwined with the whole 
fabric of our government and our society. 

The present condition of afiairs was pre- 
dicted by that remarkable statesman, Tho- 
mas .Icfierson. as long ago as 1801. when, 
with startling accuracy, he drew a picture 
of the future. T'he very plan now emliouied 
in the masterly Report of Mr. Stanton, he 
himself shadowed forth, as the best and 
surest way to overcome an evil which he 
foresaw was certain to be a monstrous one. 
Those political casuists who have assailed 
the report of Mr. Stanton will be called 
upon to correct their record, when they find 
how auspiciously it originated, and how 
overwhelmingly it is sustained by the 
opinions of our statesmen and our people. 
AVc have alreadj- stated, in another arti- 
cle, the objects proposed to be accomplished 
by the friends of the proposition reported 
upon by the Naval Committee of the House 
of Representatives ; and we might fill col- 
umns with expressions in lavor of it. The 
advantages to the free people of color, that 
are sure to result from this project, will not 
fail to strike the most superficial observer. 

There about 500,000 li-ee colored people 
in the United States — a number equal to 
that of all the Slaves at the time of the De- 
claration of Independence, in 1776. The 
number of slaves manumitted to be sent to 
Liberia will hereafter be verj- large, espe- 
cially from the middle States, if Congress 
will aid tlie cause of colonization in the way 
proposed. 

The following table shows tlie number of 
the free colored population of the United 
Stales up to 1840: 
Year. 
1790, 
1800, 
1810, 
1820. 
1830; 
1S40. 



Actual Increase. 



48.931 
78;048 
5i;751 
8i;402 
66;636 



Iiital number. 

59,467 

108,398 

186,440 

238.197 

319:599 

386;235 

As before obsci-ved. the free colored popu- 
lation is now estimated at half a million, 
and it is lapidly increasing. The annual 
increa.se of tlie black race in the United 
States is not Kss than 70.000. It may be 
fairl}- assumed that most of the blacks now 
free can )w imluoed to emigrate, ami that 
but few iif those who may be hereafter 
manumitted will remain in the country. 



58 



Nothing is required but the stimulus 
which the estabhshment of the proposed 
hue of steamships will s;\vo to the cause of 
emigration : there will be no want of funds 
to provide the emigrants with every thing 
required for their comfort ; and when the 
free colored people learn that they can go to 
Liberia in twelve or fourteen days, and 
return again, if they do not like it ; that 
they are certain of obtaining ]:)rolitable em- 
ployment, and are assured the means of 
subsistence, all objections to emigrating will 
be removed. The most intelligent amongst 
them will iufluence others to go to a coun- 
try where they can, in addition to advanc- 
ing their own interests, be of vast service 
to their fellow creatures in abolishing the 
Slave Trade, and civilizing a quarter of the 
■world where the missionary enterprises of 
the whites have all signally failed. 



FROM THE SAME. 

American Colonization. — We find in 
the New York Evening Post a series of 
attacks upon this project, and will endeavor 
to state what are the objections raised by 
that paper to the report of the Naval Com- 
mittee of the House of Representatives " in 
favor of the establishment of a line of Mail 
Steamships to the AVesteru Coast of Africa, 
and thence, via the ]\Iediterranean, to Lon- 
don, designed to promote the emigration of 
free persons of color fi-om the United States 
to Liberia — also to increase the steam na^-y 
and to extend the commerce of the United 
States." 

The objections of the N. Y. Evening 
Post are as follows : 

1. That the contractors will make a profit 
of $1,200,000 on building the ships, as they 
propose to charge the government $900,000 
each for them, being $300,000 more than 
Collins's ships for the New York and Liver- 
pool trade have cost. 

2. That the contractors ask for " revenue 
privileges not enjoyed by any other ship- 
pers on the globe," as they require to be 
" permitted to discharge the products of 
both countries. (Liberia and the United 
States.) in their respective ports, free of 
duty." 

3. That the only advantages to be derived 
by government from the contract, are " the 
right to take anj- of these ships for public 
purposes, on paying their cost and ten per 
cent, commission," the transportation of a 
few letters to and from Liberia, and cheap 
and rapid coranmnication witli that coun- 
trv. 



4. That no provision whatevei- is rmido 
for the transfxjrtfttion of mails, and thai a 
new contract will have to be made hereafter 
with the company for that .service, ujwn 
such terms as may then be agrecfl upon. 

5. That there will not bo a sulliciont 
mmiber of emigrants to Liljeria to warrant 
the estal^lishment of a line of steamers to 
touch at that republic. 

As to the first four objections, they arc 
all founded upon misapprehensions of the 
facts. Most of tlie ei-rors are to l)e account- 
ed for by the ciirumstance that the Even- 
ing Post thought lit to assume that the 
report of the committee was an echo of the 
memorial of Judge Bryan and others, and 
so proceeded to criticise the report and the 
bill without seeing either, or lieing apprisi-d 
of their contents. Unfortunately for the 
accuracy of the Post, the report of the com- 
mittee and the memorial diti'er from each 
other in the most essential particular.s — for 
whereas, the latter spoke only of a line of 
steamers to run to and from Liberia, the 
Naval Committee recommend a line to run 
to the mouth of the ^Icditerranean. and 
thence to the principal ports of Spain, Por- 
tugal and France, returning to the United 
States via London, and bringing the mails 
from all those points. Hence the facetiou.s 
remarks of the Post about the Liberian 
mail bags fall to the ground. 

With respect to the first objection, the 
answer is, that the contractors cannot make 
any profit whatever out of the (Jovernment 
in the building of the ships, for the simple 
reason that they are to build them at their 
own expense, and repa}' the GoveiTiment 
with interest whatever advances may be 
made to enable them to complete the con- 
tract. 

As to the presumed cost of the ships 
being one-third higher than that of Collins's, 
it is to be observed, that the proposed ships 
are to be at least one-third larger than those 
employed on the New York and Liveqvool 
line. 

As to the second objection, the comm.ttee 
expressly report against the privilege de- 
manded, in these teiTiis : 

'• The committee do not recommend the 
acceptance of the proposition of the memo- 
rialists that they sliall be permitted to im- 
port the produce of this country free of 
duty ; on the contrary, it is believed to be 
})etter. for obvious reasons, to enter into no 
such stipulations, but to confine the renm- 
neration, whatever it may be, to a direct 
payment of money." 

The reply to the third objection is. that it 
is incorrect in point of fact. But the prin- 



54 



cipal advantaire to lie derived bj- the Gov- 
ernment is tiie transportation of the mails 
from southern Europe, France and England, 
which the Past altogether overlooked. Nor 
is it correct to say that the Go^ernment, 
upon takinc; any of the ships, is to pay their 
cost and ten per cent, commission. On the 
contrarj'. the committee recommend that 
the Secretary of the Navy shall have the 
right to take them '• on paying the value 
thereof, such value not exceeding tlie cost. 
to be ascertained by appraisers mutually 
chosen by the Secretary- and the contractors." 

The fourth objection is also incorrect in 
point of fact. The report expressly men- 
tions the carrying of the mails and Govern- 
ment agents. 

As to the fifth and last objection, we have 
been specially called upon by the Evening 
Post to answer it. and we do .so by a quota- 
tion from the report of the conmiittee, which 
the Post would have done well to study 
before venturing its attack. 

"That the free negi-oes of the United 
States will be induced to go in large num- 
bers to Liberia, if a quick and pleasant 
passage by steam vessels be provided, and 
suitable preparation be made for them on 
their arrival by the Colonization Society, 
cannot admit of an^'^ doubt. 

''The funds of that society, augmented 
probably twenty-fold, will then be available, 
almost exclusively, for the comfortable 
establishment of the emigrants in their new 
homes, the expense of transportation 
chargeable to the society being merely 
nominal. 

"It is estimated that there are not less 
than 500,000 free colored people in the 
several States, and that the annual increase 
therein of the black race is 70,000 per 
annum. With respect to slaves Avho may 
hereafter be manumitted, no doubt such 
manumission will almost in every instance 
be upon the condition that the parties shall 
avail themselves of the opportunity of 
emigrating to Liberia." 



rnO.M THE S.\ME. 

Whatever may be the difference of oj)inion, 
says the Providence Journal, in regard to 
the merits and claims of the projected 
" Ebony Line" of steamships between this 
country and Liberia, whether the jilan be 
one of real benevolence or only of individual 
fipcculation. it is certain that the progi-cssof 
African coloniziition is one of the most in- 
teresting events of the age. and that the 
Republic of Liberia is entitliil to the good 
wishes of every friend of rivihzation. 



especially of every citizen of the United 
States. There is no precedent of colonial 
importance and prosperity so rapidly ac- 
quired, and under such difficulties and im- 
pediments. There has been no colonial 
enterprise so full of the promise of high re- 
sults to the happiness of a great portion of 
the human race. What diplomac}-. and 
treaties, and navies have failed to accom- 
plish, the peaceful influence of commerce 
will speechl}' and inevitably effect, carr3ing 
with it not the violence and Ijloodshed which 
attend all forcible measures lor objects how- 
ever good in themselves, but a thousand 
blessings in its train. — N. O. Crescent. 

This is taking a just and an elevated view 
of a subject that, sooner or later, must com- 
mand the attention of Congi-ess and the 
country, — and the sooner the better. States- 
men may deliberate — cynics denounce — 
factionists misrepresent — but after all the 
great fact remains unshaken and unsullied — 
that the only waij to promote the icelfare 
of the colored race., and the peace and per- 
petuity of our Country, is to make Liberia 
on the Western Coas'.t of Africa attractive 
to the emigrant from this coimiry, by 
means of a regxdar Commercial inter- 
course with the United States, and by 
giving to the colored race in that region 
the advantages of association with those 
of their own blood who are their intellec- 
tual superiors. A child must see that 
however the question is mystified in other 
respects, in this respect it assumes shape 
and substance, and compels all to admit its 
great weight and importance. 

Our present free colored population is an 
alarming subject for the statesman and the 
patriot to dwell upon. Long ago Mr. 
Jefferson saw what the Future would pro- 
duce in reference to it ; and !Mr. ]\Ionroe and 
iMr. Madi-son both gave it serious rellection. 
All of these sages pointed to the plan, 
though not in distinct terms, now .souglit 
to be carried out hj the projectors of tiie 
line of steamers between this country and 
the West Coast of Africa, for the purpose 
of affording a safe and cas}' access to those 
regions, of the free colored population, and 
to establish lietween the two Kepuljlicd 
those bonds of commercial aflinity and in- 
tercourse which are so essentially the haml- 
maids of Civilization, of Christianity, and of 
Freedom. 

IMin.ADEM'IirA NORTH .\MERIC.\N. 

(Prom llio Wiisiliiii^on Corri'»poiident.] 

This is a. synopsis of the project, embracing 
its principal feiitures. At no distant day. 



55 



our commerce with Liberia, if now cherished i ed, from a colonization of the western coaat 
while iu its infancy, according to the wise of Africa by ineaiis of )ree African ruce« 
colonial polic\' which Great Britain has who have been Hubjected to civilization, 
always pui'sued, will become of value and The natural resources of the coinitry iu- 
importance. It is in the power of the vite the industry and sagacity of the in- 
United States to direct and command it. by habitants to the development of innnciuio 
encouraging emigration and by estabhshing wealth, the climate, otfers the negro those 
relations of friendly intercourse. This iuflueaces under which alone he reaches 



scheme is commended to favor, among other 
reasons, as a more efficient substitute for the 
Naval station on the coast of Afi'ica, which 
must involve an annual outlay, exceeding by 
hundreds of thousands of dollars the ex- 
pense that would be incurred in the pro- 
posed enterprise. Besides sacriilcing the 
health of otficers and men, the force thus 
employed has failed to realize the anticipa- 
tions of those who negotiated it into exist- 
ence in the treaty of 1842. 

This proposition, if I am rightly informed, 
has received the co-operation of the Coloniza- 



his hiirhest powers, and tlic vast unculti- 
vated territories present a practical mode 
ot settling those dillicultics wtiich distract 
us as a nation, by receiving the objects of 
our contention, and supporting them aa our 
aUies and colonists beyond the sea. The 
growth of Liberia from its earliest settle- 
ment, has been an object of the greatest 
interest to every philanthropist; and while 
it has been looked upon as containing the 
germ of a strong and cultivated colony on 
the coast, which should receive the fruita 
of emancipation, it has also been recofniz- 



tion Society here, and is most favorably en- ed as the spot from whence influences for 
tertained by leading statesmen in both the suppression of the slave trade should 
Houses of Congress, without regard to party spring, more powerful than the combined 



or section. If it can be presented under 
fcivorable auspices, and in such a manner as 
to engage the serious attention of Congress, 
I am persuaded it maj^ be carried, by en- 
grafting some modifications upon the general 
plan. No such hope is entertained while 
slavery is permitted to engross considera- 
tion, to the exclusion of other and much 
more important subjects of public interest. 



NEWARK (N. J.) ADVERTISER. 

Such is the beneficent plan now betbre 
the House. Should it receive the .sanc- 
tion of Congress, and be efficiently carried 
out. the good it Avill confer upon this 
country, Africa and the world, it is impos- 
sible to estimate. The colored race at 
large will participate in its benefits the most 
of all. Their chance tor happiness and 
complete freedom in countries inhabited 
and ruled by whites, is not grent now; 
we fear it is not destined to be greater 
hereafter. While their present incongru- 
ous condition lasts, they must necessarily 
be inferior and discontented ; they are 
freemen, but always to be governed — citi- 
zens without a state — a people without a 
country. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE NEW 
ENGLAND PRESS. 

THE BOSTON' POST. 

It is hardly necessary to enlarge upon 
the benefits to arise to all parties concern- 



fleets of other nations blockading every 
bay and harbor. The devotion, therefore, 
of a substantial line of steamships to the 
growth of this colony, becomes "at once a 
matter of interest ni a philanthropic point 
' of view. And when we learn t rom this re- 
port that even in the commencement, 
while but two ships are finished and ready 
for sea,from 8,000 to 12,000 emigrants may 
be carried annually from the United States, 
the impossibility of transportation which 
has always clogged the steps of coloniza- 
tionists seems to be entirely removed. 

Deeming it unnecessary to urge the 
claims of this enterprise more fully on the 
grounds of its philanthropic capabilities — 
in a matter which has been presented in 
all its forms to the mind, and to the heart 
for the last thirty yeans — we wish to ex- 
amine the commercial business it will meet 
with, and will undoubtedly increa.se and 
develope. The almost unexplored wealth 
of Africa, consisting of gold dust, dyewoods, 
ivory, tropical fruit.s. indigo, and spices, in 
the region of" Liberia, and of wool skins, 
&c., along the coast to the Cape, may thus 
be brought into easy possession of the con- 
suming markets of Europe and America, 
under whose stimulating care the re- 
sources of the country and the industry of 
the inhabitants may be almost indefinitely 
increased. That wealth and commercial 
prosperity which are alone the foundation 
of all flourishing colonies, thus allbrdcd 
this section of the earth. Avill inevitably 
bring it into a valuable position as a nation. 
Not that three steamers are to do this — but 



56 



tliey are to opeu llic way, and point to the 
result. 

But it is not our communication with tlie 
coast of Africa alone that is to be benefit- 
ed by this lino of gteamers. The trade 
of the Mediterranean, yearly increasing in 
value and importance, is thus to be brought 
under the inlluence of steam. Entering 
the Straits of Gibraltar, the line oilers an 
opportunity for American enterprise to 
connect with it liist and connnodious 
boats, fitted to take the circuit from Mar 
eeilles to Constantinople and Smyrna, and 
along the African coaat again to Gibraltar. 

A large class of steamships, devoted to 
business in peace, and ready to receive an 
armament, for the protection of that 
business in time of war, has strong claims 
upon the patronage of our government. 
At present our navy, with all the histori- 
cal glory which gathers arottnd it, presents 
a meagre statistical table when compared 
with those of other nations. 

England is penetrating every sea and 
ocean, from New Orleans to Canton, from 
London to the Cape of Good Hope, until her 
steam marine amounts to more than one 
hundred and hftceu large ships. With our 
increa.sing commerce and territory' — the 
former augmenting the revenue, and the 
latter multiplying our defensive obligations 
— we may well afford, and in fact feel it to 
be a duty to add in every shape to our naval 
force. The combination of active com- 
mercial sers'ice with the duties of the navy, 
applying to the former the reserve force 
which grows out of a liberal organization of 
the latter, wiU unquestionablj- give our com- 
merce an additional stimidus in that ex- 
traordinary growth ah-eadj- attained in the 
hands of private enterprise. 

The mea.sure proposed by the committee, 
while it brings relief to a bitter party ques- 
tion, prospects of colonization to an unfor- 
tunate race of beings, and tlie development 
of civilization and commerce to one corner 
of the lea.st cultivated continent on the globe. 
opens new and rich avenues for enterprise 
and wealth. 



THE HARTFORD CoLRA.NT. 
But the proposed Bill contemplatesanothei 
very important oljjcct, which is the coloniza- 
tion of free l>la<,-ks, by their means, on the 
coast of .\frica. 'fhey feel that to prevent 
the further iucrea.se of the African race on 
this continent is an object worthy of the 
attention of the government, for in this way. 
they think that the sectional irritation exist- 



ing in the country may be avoided, and the 
slave trade the most effectually suppressed. 
'J'he Committee propose, then, to employ 
these vessels, luider the control of the 
American Colonization Society, to carry to 
Africa all such colored persons as wish to 
emigrate to Liberia, at the cheap rate of ten 
dollars a head for adults, and five lor chil- 
dren. — They agree that good men at the 
South would be much more rcidy to manu- 
mit their slaves, could sucli a refuge be pro- 
vided for them. Theu* living among us, the 
committee think, can never be agreeable to 
the Avhitc race, nor advantageous to them- 
selves, and if such facihties arc furnished for 
theii- transportation the}' would soon make 
Liberia a powerful nation, and rescue the 
whole Western coast of Africa from bar- 
barism. 

The eflect of this removal upon the sup- 
pression of the slave trade would be very 
great. Christian colonies of an industrious 
nation woidd be settled all along the coast 
and extend their influence into the interior 
over the savage tribes whose pastime is war 
and whose profit is the dealing in slaves. 
Kich tracts of the earth's surface, now lying 
waste from want of cultivation, would be 
productive. A commerce of the most pro- 
fital)le kind would spring up on the African 
coast, and prosperit}' and national happiness 
follow. 



THE PORTSMOUTH JOURN.\L, 

Alluding to the various lines of steamers 
sa3-s: — "Foremost amongst these is the 
magnificent design to establish a line of 
first class steamers to Liberia. This plan 
has been submitted to the Naval Committee 
of the House of llepresentatives which has 
given the subject a full and mature con- 
sideration and has reported strongly in favor 
of the j)rojcct. It is to be regretted that this 
report has not been extensively circulated 
and considered." 



THE REPUnHCAN HERALD, PROVIDENCE, ^R. I.> 

[Oct. --M, lAW.] 

Stkamkr Link for Africa and the 
South of Europe. — A report was made 
by the jiroper committee of tlie House in 
favor of the esliil)lislniu'nt of mail steamers 
in a line to the coast of Africa, and thence to 
certain points in the South of Europe. The 
leading object being an increase of the steam 
navy, but with tlie view also of fa<;iiitating 
the emigration of the African race to Liberia 



57 



or other colonies upon the coast, and to ex- 
tend the commercial intercourse of the United 
States. This report has been received with 
as much favor by the public as wo could well 
expect from its novelty and its nature. But 
if it be thought expedient to enlarge the 
present number of war steamers, perhaps 
there is not another route that could present 
so good a prospect of benefit to the interests 
of humanity. The effect of such colonies as 
might be established upon the coast, in 
preventing the slave trade and introducing 
civilization and Christianity into that quarter 
of the world, would be worthy the ambition 
of the best of nations. Some of the greatest 
names of our country arc recorded as 
evidence in support of the expediency of 
colonization upon the coast. Mr. Jefferson 
in 1811 said : '" I have long ago made uj) my 
mind on this subject, and have no hesitation 
in saying I have ever thought it the most 
desirable measure for gradually drawing off 
this part of our population, (the free blacks.) 
Going from a country possessing all the use- 
ful arts, they might be the means of trans- 
planting them among the inhabitatnts of 
Africa, and would thus carry back to the 
country of their origin the seed of civiliza- 
tion, which might render their sojourning 
here a blessing in the end to that country. 
Nothing is more to be wished than that the 
United States would undertake to make 
such an establishment on the coast of Africa. 
Exclusive of motives of humanity the com- 
mercial advantages to be derived from it 
might defray all its expenses." We might 
proceed and quote, in approbation of such 
benevolent designs as are embraced in the 
plan of colonization upon the coast, the 
language of JMadison, Munroe, and Marshall. 
We might present i\Ir. Cla}^ as president, 
and i\Ir. Webster as vice president of a 
Society for that purpose, to say nothing 
of the resolutions of different state legisla- 
tures upon this subject, as those of Virginia. 
Maryland, Kentuck}', Tennessee, and others 
among the slave-holding and non-slavehold- 
ing states. The people have been, (and pro- 
bably will be still more.) in favor of coloniz- 
ing the blacks — and we believe the African 
steam line will attract more and more the 
attention and support of the friends of 
colonization, and eventpaUy be established 
as one of the greatest and most benevolent 
measures of the age. 



EXTRACTS FROM Till-: OHIO, 

I.NUIANA, AND MICHI- 

(JAN PRESS. 

CINCINNATI D.VILY ENQClUEa, 

Liberia and its Phcspects. — Tho col- 
ored people of New "i'ork lield a meutinR 
last week lor thu purpose of luaring Mr. 
Moore, a citizen of Liberia, speak in refe- 
rence to the present (•on<lili<in and fiiluro 
prospects of the new llepublic. The pitli- 
ering \vas a largo one, and the proceedings 
very interesting. 

It seems to us no reasonable man can 
doubt that Liberia opens up to the colored 
population of these 'States the only path 
they can travel, to build up for themselves 
a nationalitj^. or elevate themselves, socially 
or politically, in the .scale of humanity. 
They cannot hope for either by remaining 
in this country. Nor do we think that one 
of that class, who is possessed of energy 
and a desire to assume an elevated jwsition 
among his fellows, will tarry here longer 
than he can find the means to carry liira 
away. 

Mr. Moore endeavored to impress these 
views strongly on his hearers, au<l we hope 
not without effect. He also spoke of the 
climate and productions of the country, and 
the extent of the power of the Republic at 
this time to protect its people. 

From a sketch of ]Mr. Moore's remarks 
in the Journal of Commrrce. says the 
Baltimore Sim. we perceive that !Mr. Moore 
spoke first about the products of the land, 
descanting ujion the agi'icultural facilitie.s 

i and fertihty of the soil. Cassada. an excel- 

i lent substitute for bread, he .^^aid. would 

j yield upon a single acre enough for a family 
of twenty persons ! The sweet ix>tato, 
yams, lime beans, and various other substi- 

I tutes for bread, all begin to be fit for use in 
six months, when the new emigrant is pro- 
tected from all fear of hunger, and may 
turn his attention to raising articls for 
market and commerce. 

Ginger, arrow root, which is raised 

, abundantly, and mixed with wheat Hoiir. 

I makes tlie most delicate bread in the world. 

j Indian Corn, Rice, Red Rice, Rogan. and 
Mauman, constitute articles of domestic u.<:e 
and commerce. 

'• Of all our productions," says 'Sir. Moore, 
"for export and commerce. Coffee is the 
most important. T am acquainted with 
coffee, and have never tasted any equal to 
ours in Liberia. We have, 1 suppose, 
twenty varieties, of which at least fifteen 
kinds are gi'owing on my own farm, of 
some 7.000 "trees. In 1849. I sent 196 lbs. 



58 



to the l^ited States for a market, and it 
was pronounced by manv judges superior 
to the Java or the .Moeha." 

Cocoa, of a vastly hotter quahty than our 
chocolate, is rai.sed abundantly. Of vege- 
tables, cabbages, radishes, tomatoes, ban- 
anas, plantains of two varieties, of which it 
requires a man to lift a sinj^le bunch ; these 
and numerous other kinds abound. But 
this may suttice as a means of living. 

We annex the remarks of Mr. Moore on 
the more interesting topics of social and po- 
hticrllife. He says : 

'• Liberia ofters. as its greatest gift, a free 
country. Our own race are in power and , 
honor." You have hc'ard of it, we know ; 
and therefore prize it. We are a free and I 
independent State, having a Constitution 
and Bill of Rights, like that of the United 
States. We do our own voting, while you 
in most of this country do not. I visited , 
Washington City before I came here, and 
the concfition of "the poor people pained my 
very heart. 1 wanted almost to force them 
to enjoy our privileges. 

" I feel no inclination to return to Wash- 
ington, but if I do, it will be to induce or 
almost to compel some to go with me, for 
we will do them good. 

" We are yet a small people and small 
population. Much has been done for us, 
and yet much remains to be done. We 
are. as it were, on the fringes of Africa. 
We are free, and rejoice at the present, and 
hope for the future. Our Republic may 
yet extend, as do the United States, from 
one ocean to another, from the Atlantic to 
the In'lian. When we recall to mind the 
short time it has taken America to attain 
her greatness, what shall forbid us to hope 
such a future for ourselves, and that a vast 
emigration shall yet take place to Liberia ? 
What may not Liberia become ? We ex- 
pect much, wc look and labor for nmch. 

'■ Already Liberia, like a young Hercules, 
ha-s strangled the hydra slave trade for TJOO 
or 400 miles along the coast, and it is des- 
tined to complete the work. England is 
co-operating, and by keeping a blockade of 
Gallinas with two vessels, will aid in our 
present negotiations for that slave mart, and 
when obtained, there will V)e none from 
Senegal to the Niger, over 1.000 miles. We 
are proud of our country and its inlluonce. 
onJ because we enjoy all the rights of 

men. 

" I came not to America to excite an in- 
fatuated hope, but by such statements of 
facts as I may niake, to dill'use information 
among you. 

" T rejoice that bo many in America are 



engaged in seeking the liberty of my peo- 
ple ; l)ut if all else fails, Liberia will remain 
a refuge, and she will receive vou with open 
arms. Compare our Constitution and Bill 
of Rights with that of America, and ours is 
not inferior. We are our own law-makers, 
we do our own voting, and elect our own 
olticers. We have, in one word, a free gov- 
ernment." 



INDI.\NA STATE SENTINEL. 

Two years ago the friends of Liberia, in 
this State, commenced a system of petition 
and correspondence, inviting the attention 
of the statesmen of the nation to the sub- 
ject ol a National plan of colonization, 
and hitherto success has crowned their 
labors, for the nation is lully ripe for the 
movement; and what we rejoice in is the 
fact, that our own State has nobly taken 
the lead and kept it; "the joint reso- 
lutions" of our General Assembly on the 
subject of African colonization having been 
published, with expressions of much favor, 
in the leading journals oi" our own country, 
and have found their way to Europe and 
Africa. 

Our friends in the South have taken ad- 
vantage of this favorable expression of 
public sentiment, and have introduced the 
Brvan proposition, to aid tlie government 
in the work of establishing '• a line or linea 
of transports to ply between this country 
and the coast of Africa, facilitating emi- 
gration and absorbing the growing trade 
of that country." 

This plan of transports is now before 
Congress, and the triends of that measure 
arc watching its fate with intease interest. 
The destiny of thousands of children of 
Africa is involved in the measure, and the 
man that opposes it must be able to give 
a good reason lor doing so, for its friends 
will require a reason. 



INniANA ST.VTK JOITRNAL. 

The advantages to our countiy of the 
civilization and christianization of Africa 
by means of the transportation of our free 
colored people to her shores cannot be 
calcvilated. It would open up to us an im- 
mense commerce, as with us they would 
be more inclined to trade than with any 
other nation. Their feelings and sympa- 
thies would remain with us, as is evinced 
by the concluding paragraph of Governor 
Roberts's letter. 



59 



We hope the, proposition before Congress 
may become a law before the adjourn- 
ment of that body. 



DETROIT ADVERTISER. 

The tendency of these various causes 
operating together must be to precipitate 
sooner or later upon the Gulf and Atlantic 
states, (which can only be operated to ad- 
vantage l)y slave labor, in consequence of 
the peculiarities of their soils and climates) 
the entire slave population of the more 
western of the slave states. The condi- 
tion of the white population of this extreme 
southern region, when this takes place, 
must be barbarous and insecure in the 
extreme, and unless some means should 
be adopted to drain off this rapidly increas- 
ing accession of blacks, must inevitably 
result sooner or later in the preponderance 
of blacks, and a war of traces which political 
economists teach us is ever a vmr of ex- 
termination. 

The measures now recommended by the 
committee on Naval Affairs in the House 
of Representatives, and ably elaborated 
in the report of Hon. Mr. Stanton of Tenn., 
chairman of that committee, presents a 
practical means by which the manumission 
of slaves will be encouraged — the unnat- 
ural state of things that must arise upon 
the preponderance of the black race 
avoided — the Navy of the United States 
strengthened and maintained with econony 
and efficiency — and the cause of true hu- 
manity, both to blacks and whites, sub- 
served and advanced. 

The early introduction of the colored 
race upon this continent in plain violation 
of the plans of Divine Providence, has 
entailed upon us as a nation a succession 
of sore evils, and by the inflexible laws of 
nature we are now called xipon to atone 
to nature for the infraction of her decrees. 
Let us do it in that way which humanity 
suggests. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE MARY- 
LAND, VIRGINIA. KENTUCKY 
AND TENNESSEE PRESS. 

THE REPUBLICAX, Richmond Va. 

African Colonization — Line of 
Steamers to the Western Coast of 
Africa. — Our readers are aware that an 
able report has been recently presented to 
the House of Renresentatives. by Hon. 



F. P. Stanton, ciiain.ian of tin; ctjinmiltec 
on Naval AHairs. in Ihvor of the estublJKh- 
nient of a line of mail steaniers to the 
Western coast of Africa, and thence ria 
the Mediterranean to London. Tli<- Uich- 
mond InquiriT states that the report of the 
comrnittee is in response to a memorial of 
certain gentlemen, amongst whom is Bev- 
erley TucUor. E.sq.. formerly of this city, 
praying the establishment of this line, de- 
signed to promote the colonization of free 
persons of color, to .suppress the African 
slave trade, to carry the mail, and to ex- 
tend the commerce" of the United States. 
We extract from the Enquirer the Ibllow- 
ing de.scription of the measure: 

"Mr. Stanton, after giving a summary 
of the action of the governments of the 
Uunited States and Great Britain, in rela- 
tion to the employment of mail steamers 
fitted for war purpo-ses, and built under the 
inspection of government officers, ol' which 
ocean steamers Great Britain has already 
an aggregate number of one hundred and 
fifteen, states that the committee believes 
■ that the recent increase of our territory, 
on the Pacific and in the Gulf of .Mexico, 
forms an additional reason lor a consider- 
able augmentation of our steam navv. 
whether by direct addition to the navy 
proper, or by the encouragement of lines 
of steam packets, to be established by 
private enterprise, under the auspices of 
Government.' Inasmuch as the idea has 
already been adopted by the General Gov- 
ernment, that the va-t expenditures re- 
quired in naval armaments nn'ght be made 
subservient to the purposes of commerce 
in time of peace, the report devotes but a 
small space to its enforcement. It is chiefly 
in view of the important bearing that tliis 
movement has upon the removal ot" free 
persons of color from this country to the 
coast of Africa, and of suppressing the 
slave trade, that the committee recom- 
mend it to the favorable attention of 
Congress. 

'• "We think the merits of this measure are 
sufficiently weighty to command the favor 
of the whole country. While it commend.s 
itself to our judgment by the commercial 
advantages arising from it. throusrit which 
the contractors expect to derive b\- far the 
larger portion of income, its connection 
with the objects of the Colonization Socie- 
ty must .serve to link to it the .•<ynij(athica 
of all, save impracticable abolitionists. 
Virginia. I'rom her early history to t!ic pre- 
sent time, has been friendly to the purposes 
of the Colonization Society. Whilst a 
colonv, her house of Burgessqg enucted 



60 



laws against the Ibreiarn slave trade, and 
tlie Legislature of tlie Slate, in December, 
1S16. a^lew months before the institution 
of the Colonization Society, adopted a 
resolution, requesting the Executive to 
correspond with the President of the Unit- 
ed States, for the purpose of obtaining a 
territory on the coast of Africa lor free 
persons of color. Any plan which. Avith 
anything like a probability of succesSj is 
proposed to remove the evil of her Iree 
colored population, or even to diminish it, 
has ever received the careiul attention oi' 
her people. A very interesting statement 
of tlie action of Virginia, and some of her 
most distinguishsd sons, is to be found in 
liie Appendix to Mr. Stanton's report. 
She has recently shown her interest in this 
matter, by her late generous annual a,ppro- 
priation in aid of the Colonization Socie- 

ty."' 

The Enquirer proceeds in a very forcible 
manner to describe the rapid progress, the 
rich resources of Africa, and the commer- 
cial and philanthropic reasons for this great 
enterprise. It appears that seven thousand 
have already emigrated to Liberia ; that 
eighty thousand natives have already be- 
co'ine citizens of the Republic ; that treaty 
stipulations have been made by her with 
tribes, numbering 200,000, for the sup- 
pression of the slave trade ; and that she 
is gradually extending her laws and insti- 
tutions from the British Colony to the 
Grold Coa.st. The Enquirer justly re- 
marks: ■• Infant colonies in every age ol 
the world have liad great difiiculties to en- 
counter. In 1618, the eleventh year of the 
eettlement of Virginia, the colony only 
numbered six hundred souls. When Sir 
Walter Raleigh in 1590 sent out his relief 
to his second large expedition of 15S7, ' not 
a vestige oi' them was to be Ibund.' Where 
is a pi«-allel to the growth and pro.sperity 
of Liberia ? — Does not her history, even in 
its trials and reverses, give to the most 
doubting the assurance that hereafter 
tliere will be, in Western Africa, a mighty 
Republic, with our laws and language, 
rommanding the respect and confidence of 
the world ? Is it not a glorious destiny lor 
us, to give back the light which Europe 
once borro\ved Irom Alrica. ami to make 
American commerce the handmaiden to 
Kpread liberty and learning on the now 
darkened land ol" the Ptolemies?" 
The IJiiqulrir thus proceeds: 
" That Alrira ran sustain commercial 
ronnection.s with the world, her history 
lieret<jfore and llie liicts stated by Mr. 
Stanton sulliiiently prove. A rnagnilicent 



opportunity, consecrated too by most pe- 
culiar reasons, is now olfered to us, to use 
the effective agency of steam, in develop- 
ing her vast resources. Alrica is no des- 
olate, Irightful, desert waste, with all her 
interior one vast blank, as our old maps 
seem to indicate. If it has its Zahara. it 
has its extensive forests, its noble streams, 
and its abundant tropical productions. Mr. 
Ashman, long ago, wrote this: ' The 
whole country between Cape Mount and 
Trade Town is rich in soil and other natur- 
i al advantages, and capable of sustaining a 
numerous and civilized population, beyond 
almo.-;t an}^ other country on earth. 
Leaving the seaboard, the traveller every- 
where, at the distance of a lew miles, en- 
ters upon a unilbrm upland country, of 
moderate elevation, intersected by innumer- 
able ri\^lets, abounding in springs of un- 
fi-iiiing water, and covered with a verdure 
which knows no other changes except 
those which refresh and renew its beauties. 
The country directly on the sea, although 
verdant and fruitful to a high degree, is 
ibund everywhere to yield, in both respects, 
to the interior.' The gentlemen who have 
offered this proposition to the government 
must be well satisfied as to the profits to 
be derived from commercial intercourse 
with Africa, or they would never have left 
so wide a margin for their commercial 
i business to fill up. By the present pro- 
I posed arrangement, the government, for 
I the sum of $480,000 per annum, about one 
{ half the cost of building a .single steamer, 
i organizes and clficiently establishes this 
commercial arrangement — has its mails 
carried to Africa and Southern Europe — 
furnishes a direct swift communication to 
those anil all intermediate points, and, 
while thus cultivating the arts of peace, 
has, in the event of a war. three first-class 
war steamers put immediately, and almost 
in fighting trim, into its service. 

•■ Moreover, the Government, by force 
of treaties, is required to keep a certain 
naval Ibrce on the African coast, tor the 
])urpose of suppressing tlie slave trade. — 
What is the actual expense attending this 
arrangement, we are not inll)rmpd. At 
present, we only know it is the burial place 
of our gallant ollicrrs and brave crevN-.s — 
a sort of briny Golgotha — a station, per- 
hap.s. where Providence never intended a 
son of Japhet should be kept on any duly 
Ibr any length of time, but where the ne- 
gro, especially if from South oi' Mason 
and Dixoifs liiii". could live and would live 
well. With ri-ferenc(^ to the North Caro- 
lina (.'migrants to Liberia, Mr. Ashman 



61 



says, • all the change they have undergone 
seems to be less a disease than a salutary 
effort of nature to accommodate the physi- 
cal system of its subjects to the influence 
of the tropical climate.' Moreover, it has 
been fully ascertained, that tor all eliectual 
purposes of suppressing the slave trade, 
the African squadrons approach a hum- 
bug ! In 1847, 84,356 persons were ex- 
ported from Al'rica to Cuba and Brazil." 

That it is clearly tlie duty of all civilized 
nations to unite in putting down tiie slave 
trade, is the unanimous opinion of the 
world. Upon no other point connected 
with the subject are all nations so fully 
agreed, unless it be that, the measures 
heretofore and now employed for that pur- 
pose are entirely ineffectual. Simply, 
then, as an efficient means of extirpating 
the slave trade, the projected line to Africa 
should command the support of all phi- 
lanthropists. We are not surprised, how- 
ever, that it is opposed by abolitionists, for 
we have never imagined that they were 
guided by enlightened and genuine hu- 
manity. Should the plan however tail in 
its appeals to benevolence, it will not be 
without effect in its claims upon the com- 
mercial interests of the country. These 
have been well set forth in the arguments 
for the report. Becroft, a daring and in- 
telhgent English voyager, has years ago 
dissipated the delusion, that the interior of 
Africa is a " desert waste." He lias shown 
that it is accessible to navigation and trade; 
that the climate is as healthy as that of 
the tropics generally ; that there are re- 
gions of beautiful and fertile country, af- 
fording opportunities for legitimate com- 
merce of indefinite extension. This ad- 
venturous traveller explored the river Ni- 
ger within forty miles of Timbuctoo. He 
has thrown light on thousands of miles of 
richly fertile and wooded country, watered 
by that great stream ; and vipon the ivory, 
vegeiable tallow, peppers, indigo, cotton, 
wool, palm oil, dye woods, timber woods, 
skins, and a great variety of produce 
which invite the trade. To carry on this 
trade in the vessels which navigate the 
river, it is necessary to have black crews. 
The London Spectator remarks, "Of 
course the free blacks educated in the 
West India trade will become useful work- 
men in penetrating the native lasd of their 
race. We must depend, at least for gen- 
erations to come, on the black race to sup- 
ply the bulk of the crews." For our own 
part, we do not see why our own country 
should not compete with Britain for the 
rich trade of Africa. Nor do we know any 

9 



more efficient method of competition than 
the proposi'd line of steamers. 



TIIK DAILY RICHMOND ENQl'IRER. 

Free Negroes — Line op SrEAMEna, 
&c. — The following article, from the Ptnn- 
sylvanianof the »)th ult.. is well worth the 
consideration of every patriot. The Chriu- 
tian world has long sought the extinction 
of the African slave trade. Politicians 
have taken up the subject, and sevt.-ral of 
the great powers have put in service the 
best skill of their Navies, to etlVct the ob- 
ject. Millions of money have been ex- 
pended, and thousands "of lives Kicrifired 
upon the coast of Africa, in search of 
slavers, and yet it is believed that the in- 
human traffic has not been sensibly dimin- 
ished. Our own Government has done its 
full share of this '• labor in vain ;" and it 
is more than probable that the present 
naval operations against the slave trade 
will, in a i'ew years, be abandoned, in de- 
spair of eflecting any good, unless some 
new turn can be given to it, promising 
better results. The scheme of colonizing 
the coast with negroes irom the United 
States, carrying with them Christianity, 
and more of civilization than perhaps haa 
ever fallen to the lot of the deluded sons 
of Africa, by which, in a few years, a cor- 
don of Christian settlements might be es- 
tablished along the entire border of the 
country visited by slavers, it would seem, 
might promise much good. The introduc- 
tion of law, government, and religion, and 
legal commerce with civilized nations, (and 
particularly with the United States, Great 
Britain, and France,) would greatly con- 
tribute to the accomplishment of tfie ob- 
ject. 

Fifty j'ears ago, the expense of removing 
the free negi'oes, to any part of the world, 
could have been borne by the State with- 
out complaint, or even forty years ago ; but 
now it has "become a suHject oi' weighty 
import. Not only will it require the em- 
ployment of a large amount of sliipping 
faciUties, but the collection and expendi- 
ture of considerable suras of money. Vir- 
ginia can and will raise the funds neces- 
sary to transport her free negroes, if ves- 
sels can be procured to carry them to 
Africa. 

A line of steamers from the United 
States by Africa to England, or other 
parts of Europe, making regular trips, 
would add greatly to the enterprise, and 
would cost the Grovernment no more prob- 



62 



ably thiin ihc support of naval operations 
on'tlie slave coast, now guaranteed by 
treaty. Such line would necessarily come 
into the Chesapeake Bay, Charleston, S. 
C. or New Orleans, or probably into all. 
The steamers would go where free negroes 
could be received for transportation; and 
as it is not probable that many could be 
induced to emigrate from the Northern 
States, the necessary consequence would 
be that the lran.sportfition would almost 
entirely be from the South. The South 
would therefore secure the A'Vican com- 
merce, and might find these Government 
steamers very useful in promoting a direct 
trade between the Southern ports and 
Europe. 

From the remarkable increase ol free 
negroes throughout the State, it would 
appear that no time sliould be lost in ar- 
resting the evil. The Western part of the 
State should lend a helping hand to this 
great moral work. The mischief, though 
but little felt there as yet, is increasing 
with uncommon rajiidity, and promises an 
abundant yield in a few years, if not ar- 
rested. 



THE WINCHESTER (VA.) PAPER. 

The Liberia Steamers. — It is now 
considered possible that the important 
scheme of connecting the coast of Africa 
and our ports by steam, and providing a 
retreat for our I'ree negro population, will 
pass at the j)rcsent session of" Congress. 
Wc sincerely hope that it will, as things 
will not hereai'icr be so favorable to its 
adoption. The present feeUng at Wash- 
ington ought to be taken advantage of lor 
the accomplishnieiit of a measure which 
will benefit alike North and South, and do 
more to advance the noble ends of the 
Colonization Society than anything yet 
tried. Without some means of transport- 
ing emigrants as cheaply as the applicants 
engage to do, the recent law of this State, 
appropriating S30,U0U annually, will be 
nugatory, lor it contains a restriction on 
the sum to be paid for each jierson much 
below the present cost of his jias-sage. At 
$10 each, one thousand would be sent out 
annually, independently of those who 
would be sent by their former owners, 
and those who would pay their own pas- 
satre. 



National Legislature ; and j-et it has so far 
succeeded as to command the respect of 
all who witness its results. The West- 
minster Review says of it : " The Ameri- 
cans arc successfully planting free negroes 
on the coast of Africa; a greater event 
probably in its consequences than any that, 
has occurred since Columbus set sail for 
the New World." Among these conse- 
quences may be mentioned. First, the re- 
moval of a class of our population who 
belong to a different and subordinate race, 
and who can never rise to the state of so- 
cial equality with the mass&s of the peo- 
])le. In the free, as well as in the slave 
States, their relative position is by no 
means desirable. And the policy of the 
one no less than of the other — but for dif- 
ferent reasons — is not only opposed to their 
increase, but demands their removal. But 
the most effectual method of remedying 
this evil, and carrying into effect thispbl- 
icy. is to colonize tlie free blacks in the 
land of their fathers. Another result of 
of such an enterprise, as proved by the 
experiments already made. — is the civiliz- 
ing and christianizing power which these 
colonists will exert upon the millions of 
that benighted land. Here they occupy 
a low grade in the scale of society ; i)ut, 
low as it is, it is immeasurably higher than 
that of their kindred, who have never asso- 
ciated with a Christian people. And 
through them the arts of civihzed life, and 
the pure gospel of the Son of God, will 
effect, in time, a wonderful change in the 
character, and habits, and manners of" that 
immense population. 

But the prospective advantages in a com- 
mercial point of view are amply sufficient 
to justify the proposed outlay, irrespective 
of the favorable influence which the scheme 
is adapted to exert on both lands. 



TMK WATC.MAX ,\.\I) ullHEia ER, Ricynin.n-I, \ ii. 

Hitherto tlir cau.se of African coloniza- 
tion has received very little aid from our 



THE BAETIMORE CLIPPER. 
There arc .some members of Congress who 
appear to be always ready to 'strain at a 
gnat," and yet will "" swallow a camel " with- 
out scruple. If Congress could constitn- 
tionall}- vote the j)ul)hc money to relieve the 
IH'ople of Ireland, or to assist the poor of the 
District of Cohnnbia during a .severe winter 
— if thousands and hundreds of thousands 
of dollars can be applied to the purchiuse of 
books to become the j)rivale property of 
nicrnbers — \vi' cainiot discover the uncon- 
stitutionality of an act to rid the country of 
an evil whicii threatens to prey upon il.> 
vitals, and to destroy the whole system. 



n:^ 



We must not shut our tyes to consequences, 
but prepare to meet them. In the natural 
course ol' events, unless colonization be 
.adopted on an extensive scale, the i'rec pi'r- 
sons of color in the United States must so 
increase as to become a formidable body. 
And how is that body to be disposed of ? 
Can it be amalgamated with the whites and 
admitted to equal privileges, as in Mexico ? 
This wc conceive to be impossible, notwith- 
standing the sympathy for the blacks pro- 
fessed by abolitionists. Shall they be ex- 
terminated 1 The idea is too horrible to be 
entertained. They must, then, be sent out 
of the country ; and the sooner the work of 
transportation shall be commenced, the bet- 
ter it will be for them and the nation. 
Individual enterprise has made the be- 
ginning ; but it remains for the general 
government to consummate the work. The 
free States will be the first to move on the 
subject, for they will first and most severely 
experience the evils of a free mixed popula- 
tion. Ohio is already complaining, and 
Pennsylvania will soon follow ; for the ac- 
cumulation of free persons of color in these 
States, and in New York, will be rapid — 
and, with the increase will the evil be 
augmented. They are already demanding 
an equal participation in civil affairs with 
the whites ; and they have their public 
lecturers to enforce their demands. It is 
hazarding little to assert, that they will 
never be granted to the extent desired ; and 
what will result fi-om the refusal is yet to be 
ascertained. 

We rejoice that a majority of Senators 
voted for the appropriation to reimburse the 
Colonization Society, and hope that the bill 
to establish a line of steamers to Africa will 
become a law — as it will be the commence- 
ment of a system that must be adopted, if 
Congress consult the " general welfare" of 
the nation. 



THE BALTIMORE SUN. 

African Civilization. — A vast con- 
tinent has waited upon the agencies of 
civilization for a share in those blessings it 
confers ; the season of waiting at length is 
passed, and the time for action has begun. 
And how very remarkable is the character 
of that action, and how noble the purpose 
it contemplates. Never in the history of the 
world has a similar event commanded the 
admiration of mankind. It is without pre- 
cedent and can have no parallel. 

Africa, which has supplied the civilized 
world with menial service, seems at length 
about to be honored as no countrv lias ever 



bwn befoiv. Tlie work of rolonizntion, 
wIjLiover it has been conducted herctofure, 
has always been cominenceil with a prosiK-*.! 
of strife ; it has almost invariably coiuem- 
jilatod the siil)jugation of an aboriginal nice 
by force of arms, llicir expulsion, or extinc- 
tion. The exceptions have Ijcen partial and 
rare. Such a C4vse for instance as that of 
Penn stands out in prominent relief upon 
the page of colonial history ; but even the 
philanthropy of Penn was insulficicnt for its 
purpose— he could not prevent the expulsion 
of the Indians, and the Anglo-Saxon now 
occupies his place. Colonial historv lias ever 
involved an enormous expenditure of wealth, 
health, and human life, and according to the 
best excuse of human judgment by tho 
standard of the times, unavoidablv so. 

The great colonial projct-t of our dav is 
that which relates to the continent of Africa, 
and in its details it exhibits a most admira- 
ble and striking contrast with all that havo 
preceded it. The colonists it is proposed to 
put upon its coasts are the civilized descen- 
dants of those who were snatched from their 
native soil, ir#a condition of barbarism, and 
carried into slavery. In restoring them to 
the land of their forefathers, it is not with 
arms in their hands to subdue or to expel 
the present occupants of the ."^oil. There is 
no phj^sical warfare to institute against an 
antagonism of Ijlood. On the contrary, the 
only v.'arfare to be anticipated is that of 
mind with mind ; an encounter of civiliza- 
tion with barbarism, under the au.^piccs of 
natural kindred. It is the reality of the fable 
of Valentine and Orson, in which the former 
has only to use the stratagem dictated by 
fraternal love, and his bloodless conquest is 
sure. The weapons are those of civilization 
and christianitj- ; and never was there a time 
when those instrumentalities could be more 
effectually employed. The industrial arts 
enjoy the benefits of science in a wonderful 
degree ; agriculture is learning thrift from 
enlarged liberalitj' ; and commerce iwsscsses 
the means and appliances of steam, by which 
she measures the pathways of the great deep, 
and times her ocean trips by the hour. 

It is at this era of the world's career, and 
under these auspices, that the American 
people have entered upon the great and 
glorious project of African redemption. A 
work, whose design sanctifies the expendi- 
ture of every dollar that can be judiciously 
applied for its promotion, and demands the 
genial sj^mpathies of every true son of 
humanity. To what extent soever the 
growth and success of the enterprise may 
contribute to our commercial advantages, its 
claims ujwn our co-operation af^ inf''mt(":- 



64 



tibly genuine. The work is one of which 
the nature of the end can be underetood from 
the uejrinninjr. although its grandeur can pA-- 
haps be only feebly conceived. It requires 
in its earliest stages the confidence, the 
cheerful aid. the generous support and the 
patient expectation of the civilized world. 
And we should be niggards, indeed, if in view 
of tliB object to be attsdned, we would with- 
hold these ; while history would throw up. 
from the vain records of the past, her re- 
proiu"hes against us. Let us but glance at 
the story of the crusi\des. and think upon 
the vast expenditure of wealth and life freely 
lavished in such superstitious .services for the 
attainment of a visionary purpose. For three 
centmies has that stupendous power, in- 
corporated under the name of the East India 
Company, struggled with varj-iug success, 
and at the most inordinate sacrifice of human 
life, for the advancement of exclusively sel- 
fish and sordid schemes. -Vnd shall we 
hesitate to accept an opportunity, which 
Providence has opened before us. to rescue 
a continent fi'om the degradation of 
heathenism, and provide an attractive and 
perpetual asyhun for that race, helplessh' 
depressed in the social economj' of our vexed 
and troubled land ? 

The project, it will be observed, embraces 
two results. ])oth of which are alike benevo- 
lent in their design. One is to effect the 
redemption of the present tribes of Africa 
from barbai-ism. and to introduce them to 
the enjoA'ment of civilization. The other is 
to induce such a flow of emigration on the 
part of the free colored peojjle of America 
into Africa as will relieve this country from 
the inconvenience and demoralization conse- 
quent upon the social di.sesteem they every 
where experience here, and at the same 
time place them in a position where neither 
natural nor conventional distinctions exist 
to curb the spirit of ambition, or to obstruct 
the labors of the boldest enlcrpri.sc. The 
latter, it will be observed, in the order of 
events, must take precedence of the former ; 
for wliile both are contemplate<I by the 
advocates of colonization, one is looked for 
as the result of the other. Under the pres- 
ent instrumentalities and inducements, 
the work of African colonization lias lieen 
slow and costly ; Init the scJison for past 
ellbrt ha.s been the first stage of a grand 
design, which will gradually develop means 
an'i energies adeipiate to its fulfilment. 'J'o 
what extent the projw.sed .system of steam 
communiiution before ('ongress may tejid 
to the removal of tlie colored race from this 
coMtinent, is various!}* conjectured by dill'er- 
ent imlivi'luals who have the sjime data 



upon wliich to rest their opinions. Upon 
this jKiint we shall take a future opportunity 
to advance .some views of our own, though 
it is not to be denied that the absence of all 
precedent leaves opinion with no higher 
character than that of conjecture in any 
case. 



the i'rankfort (ky.) com.monwealth. 

An Appropriation in Aid op Colo- 
nization. — A\^e publi.shed, several days ago, 
the memorial which the Kentucky Coloni- 
zation Society recently presented to the 
General Assembh', but have not heretofore 
had room to make any editorial comments 
upon it. The memorial asks for an apjjro- 
priation of five thousand dollars per year, 
lor five years, to aid in transporting from 
Kentucky to Liberia free negroes of such 
ages and under such condition.s, as the Le- 
gislature may prescribe. 

AVhat shall be done with the free negro 
population, is a question which has recently 
attracted the earnest attention of several of 
our sister States, both South and North, 
and wliich must inevitably be soon recog- 
nized as a ver}^ important question liy all 
the States in which any considerable por- 
tion of that population exists. As a body 
the}' add no strength, and allbrd no advan- 
tage to any community ; and in the slave- 
holding States their pernicious influence 
upon the .slaves makes them a positive and 
great evil. ****** 

Virginia appropriates ^30,000 per year to 
aid in sending her free negroes to Africa. 
Maryland gives $10,000 per year for i\n- 
same object. Even some of the non-slavi - 
holding States, who have no .slaves to be 
injured by association with free negroes, 
seem about to pursue the same i^Ian. In- 
diana is, we believe, about to jjrovide, in the 
constitution which she is now framing, thai 
no negroes shall be permitted hereafter to 
immigrate into her territory, and that 
$iO,OtlO .shall be yearly ajipropriatcd to- 
wartls removing to Africa those who are 
already within lier borders, lias Kentucky 
not as much need, at least, as Indiana, to 
get rid of her free negro po|nilation ? 

The sum asked for, if laid as an additional 
tax upon the people of the State, would not 
require the assessment of one-fifth of a cent 
upon every hundred dollars' worth of taxa- 
ble property. 

This is merely the pecuniary, or. so (o 
.speak, the selli.sh view of the suliject. Its 
benevolent asjiect has often been presented. 
It seems to us th.-il, even if tliere were no 



65 



present advantage in it, it would still l)c , the lulvantiijivs wliich civilization gives, and 



woi'thy of a great State to contribute some- 
thing to aid a scheme which iwe helieve is 
destined ultimately to civilize and chris- 
tianize one-fourth of the world, and elevate 
a whole race. 



THE LOUISVILl.E (Ky.) JOUUNAL. 

Mail Steam Ships to the AVestern 
Coast of Africa. — We have received the 
Report of the Committee on Naval Affairs 
of the House of llepresentatives, to whom 
was referred the memorial of Joseph Bryan 
of Alabama, for himsell' and his associates, 
Nicholas Sanders and others, praying the 
establishment of a line of steamers from 
the United States to the coast of Africa, de- 
signed to promote the colonization of free 
persons of color, to supi^ress the African 
slave ti-ade, to carry the mails, and to ex- 
tend the commerce of the United States. 

In this subject every citizen of the United 
States ought to feel a deep interest. Every 
one whose mind is not blinded by passion, 
must see that with the white man is no 
abode for the black man. "We refer now 
only to the welfare of the free black man 
himself, "\71iatever he may be capable of 
becoming in favorable circumstances, while 
he remains among the whites, he must ever 
be a degraded being. Even if the laws 
should invest hun with the full rights of 
citizenship, they could not raise him to an 
equality with those around him. They 
could not give his mind the strength and 
independence necessary for the full exercise 
of his rights. He would always be " a 
hewer of wood and a drawer of water." 
The full dress of a citizen would set upon 
him like tlie clothes of a giant upon a 
dwarf. Philanthropy as well as policy 
points to a separation of the races. There 
is no hope for the African race but in its 
.separation from the Caucasian. If wo wish 
the free man of color to attain to the dig- 
nity of a man — if we wish him to be ele- 
vated above the condition of a serf — we 



tliey are led by degrees to udojit the cu.s- 
toius of civilized life. The change must bu 
very gradual, it is true, as all greai changes 
in character must be gradual. 

The destruction of that di.sgrace of our 
times, the African slave trade, will be 
another result of the colonization of Africa. 
Immense sums of money liave been ex- 
pended in the atlxiupt to put an end to this 
horrible trallic by blockading the coa.st of 
Africa, and all the etl'orts to suppress the 
trade have only addeil to its liorrors. In 
liS47, no less than 84,35() .slaves were ex- 
ported from Africa to Cuba and iJrayJl. 
The attem})t to suppiess the trade in this 
way has proved a complete ftxilure, and will 
prol)ably be soon aljandoned. liut the in- 
tluence of the llqniblic of Liberia hius been 
shown in the complete suppression of the 
trade along a coast of several hundred miles 
in extent. The committee say : '• The peo- 
ple of the United States have shown their 
strong aversion to the slave trade by the 
provision in their Constitution against it, 
and by their unremitting and vigorous 
cfiorts to suppress it. The success which 
has already crowned the inl^ncy of Liberia, 
indicates "the true mode of making these 
exertions effectual, while it opcus up the 
way for restoring the free blacks to tb43 
' native land of their fathers.' " 



THE KNOXVILLE REGISTER, TENNESSEE. 

After all, however, that may be said of 
the benefits to flow from such an enlarged 
and liberal plan of operation, it is, we con- 
ies.;, as a scheme of philantliropy, of hu- 
manity, of good will towards men, that wo 
look upon it with most liivor. The sup- 
pres.sion of the damning tratilc in slaves, 
carried on, as it is, with circumstances of 
cruelty ti-om which the mind revolts with 
horror — and the aniclioration and removal 
j from among us of a degraded cla-ss— which 
I haiuJ-s like an incubus upon our exertions 



_. , _„ „ ._ the class of free blacks— are points upon 

must provide the means for his removal i which all men, slaveJiolders, and non-slave- 
from among us. j holders, [all except the abolitiom.sts,] can 

It is from the colonization movement that | with cordial sympathy unite even ni the 
Africa must expect civilization and the j present excited state of public alla-rs. It 
knowledge of true religion. Providence, j will be a subhmc moral spectacle to see 
bringing good out of evil, seems about to such a united eilbrt. It will raise us in the 
make the crimes of slave traders the means estimation of the world. It wili atiord the 
of regenerating Africa. The few colonists future historian a theme on which ho niay 
that we have sent, have already exerted love to dwell. Indeed, it aeei.is to us, that 
gi-eat inliuence. If Africa is to be redeemed the opportunity held out to us to accom- 
from her savage state, it must be done by | plish such glonou.^ results, is bui. a wise 
means of colonies. The natives readilv see i ordination of Providence by vviurh we shall 



6f) 



hnvo enslaved a portion olour fc-llo\v be- 
iMs?s only to restore iheni. after a long 
ptTioii oV servitiulo. to tiie land of their 
lathers, enliirhtened with tlie divine know- 
Icdije, informed with the spirit of social 
and political protrress. and ennobled with a 
st-nse of tJien- rapacity to work ont the 
•xreat problem of conservative liberty, in a 
land of intellectual gloom and moral de- 
basemenL 



EXTRACTS FRO:\I THE LOUISI- 
ANA, GEORGIA AND SOUTH 
CAROLINA PRESS. 



THE NEW ORLEANS DELTA. 

The African Steam Phoject. — We 
must confess, that wiiilst we are opposed 
to all extravagant and expensive outlays 
on the part of tiie Federal Goverinnent. 
we are rather tlisposed to view favorably 
the principle and de.sign of the project re- 
ported in Congress by Mr. Stanton, of es- 
tablishing a line of .steamers between this 
country and Africa. We know nothing of 
the details of the plan. There may be, 
and no doubt are, many objectionable fea- 
tures in the proposed contract; but the 
general purpose of augmenting the steam 
marine of tiiis country, is oni:; which en- 
gages our warmest support ; whilst the 
secondary — perhaps it ought to be viewed 
as the primary, "object of securing an easy 
and cheap return of the emancipated 
Africans to the land from whence tiiey 
sprung, is one v.'ldch rises in importance 
aoove all the enterprises of the day. 

Jn some Southern States it has been 
proposed to eject the whole free colored 
population from the country. A recom- 
mendation of that character was made a 
few years ago by Governor Smith, of Vir- 
ginia. But that is a proposition from 
which humanity revolt.'?. Besides, there 
is no part of the country into which they 
could be driven. The great question — 
one of the greatest which could engage 
the considenition of the philanthropist — is, 
how the South may be rid ol" tliis great 
evil, so as not to outrage the moral st'n«.f 
and leelings. We answer: send all the 
free blacks to Africa, the home of tlieir 
fathers. Let them establish a republic 
there. Whil-t our youth are leaving Ihcir 
homes and liuniiics, to people the liir-oil 
Hhoresof the Pacjlir. let the sons of Africa 
employ the skill and intelligence they have 



acquired in this land, in establishing a 
great republic on the oppcsite side of the 
Atlantic. 

Here is a plain, simple, practical pro- 
position. If the United States Govern- 
ment can, in the exercise of its powers, 
promote such a plan, we do not think it 
should hesitate much as to the price of so 
great a blessing as the removal, or even the 
reduction, of the free negro population of 
the country. We are not tamiliar with 
the details of the plan proposed, but we 
think that the Government could hardly 
apply its money to a better purpose, than 
in establishing a line of steamers to Africa, 
with stipulations to remove, at a certain 
moderate price, such free negroes as 
may be designated, or such as may de- 
sire to emigrate to the land of their fathers. 
The Legislatures of the several Souther.. 
States might then pass the laws j)rohibit- 
ing the emancipation of negroes, unless on 
the condition that they should be removed 
to Africa. 



THE NEW ORLEANS PICAYUNE. 

The suppression of the slave trade is 
yet the great problem of humanity. All 
schemes of force yet dev'ised, however ex- 
tensive and powerful in extent and combi- 
nations, have failed, not only from their 
inherent insufficiency to master the evil, 
but from the bad management and sordid 
intents with which they are, by a destinv 
apparently inevitable, beset and foiled. 
To some jjower which has its seat in Al'rica 
— which, operated by the perpetual pres- 
ence and groAring interests of a seated civil- 
ization and an expanding humanity — we 
must finally look tor the extirpation of this 
horrid traffic. The American colonies 
planted along the coast have done more 
within a i'ew years, by the silent spread of 
moral power, than all the navies of Eu- 
rope could accomplish in a quarter of a cen- 
tury; and it is not, tiierefore, to be 
wondered at that .so many hearts in this 
country are warmed towards th(> the colo- 
nization schemes, and towards all available 
and lawful enterprises ibr extending com- 
mercial connections with the African coast 
and the interesting .settlements planted 
there. That li'cling gives a great 
deal of interest to the projected line ol" 
conunercial steamers to Liberia, which a 
committee of the House of Representatives 
has recommended. We have .seen many 
objections strongly urged to the ])lans pro- 
pos!'d. and the projected manager and 



67 



management, as thougli tlie whole wcrt; a 
mere job of speculators. So far as this 
may be shown, or reasonably suspected to 
be true, every opposition is not only pro- 
per but laudable ; but nothing we have 
seen contains any solid argument against 
the enterprise, or goes so far as to alter 
our conclusions that it is — supposing^ the 
details arranged in a just and satisfactory 
manner — extremely advisable, and entitled 
to the encouragement of the Gov^ernment 
and the people, as far as the powers ol 
the constitution will permit them to give 
aid. It is of sutlicient importance to merit 
a full investigation of its claims to public 
favor ; and we have no doubt that on full 
inquiry it Avill be sustained by the public 
as a scheme of great national import as 
well as enlarged beneficence. 



THE SAVANNxVn (GEORGIA) REPUBLICAN. 

Trade with Africa. — Our readers have 
already been informed that a bill, accom- 
panied by a report, has been introduced 
into the House of Representatives, for the 
establishment ot" a line of mail steamers to 
the coast of Africa. The commercial ad- 
vantages which would be likely to result 
from such an enterprise are sufficiently 
important to engage the attention both of 
our merchants and Congressmen. It is 
stated that Great Britain conducts a traffic 
with Africa valued at $28,000,000, per 
annum, while we, with a commerce 
amounting in exports and imports to only 
about one million and a quarter, are com- 
pelled to keep up a naval force on the 
western coast, partly to protect this British 
commerce, and at the same time to sup- 
press, as far as may be. the slave trade. 
The question arises why should we not, 
with the facilities we enjoy, enter into com- 
petition foi- this traffic of $30,000,000 ?..Co- 
lonies and Republics are annually spi'ing- 
ing up in that region, whose commerce 
nmst ultimately prove of immense value 
in exchange tor our manufactures of cotton 
and other fabrics. It becomes important 
therefore to attach these colonies to our 
trade. Egypt, prior to the downl'all of 
that empire, concentrated within the 
valleys of the Nile the most, if not the 
only, commerce of that vast continent ; 
but modern research has satisfied us that 
westward — pursuing ' he undeviating law 
of pohtical destiny — the star of African 
glory wends its way. Liberia may yet 
become the Thebes of modern times, and 
number, not her hundred brazen gates lor 



the egress of annir.s. but navies (L»r the 
supply of the world, and America her 
treasure-hou.'^e. 

The principal exports of the Africiui 
coast are ivory, palm oil. gold, colfee, (lot- 
ton, and various kinds of valuable wood. 
Of ivory, it is estimated that Great Britain 
imports annually 5,000 cwt.— a tu.sk weigh- 
ing about 60 pound.s — to obtjiin whicli it ia 
necessary to destroy about 7,00U elephauta 
every year. Her imports of palm oil, 
during last year, are set down at 40U.0UU 
cwt., which yielded a duty of $280,000. 
We obtain our surplus ol' this article 
through ^foreign customhouses, and not 
direct, by which the committee of the 
House thinks it costs our importers a thou- 
sand per cent, more than it would if we 
were able, by a line of steamers, to im- 
port from the natives, in exchange for 
American commodities. Great Brit<iin has 
also managed to monopolize, since the es- 
tablishment of the colonies, the immense 
amount of gold which they produce. The 
researches of geographers have shown 
that the sands of upper and lower Guinea, 
not to say Liberia and Senegambia. contain 
great quantities of this ricii treasure; but 
of their monopoly in this respect we will 
not ce)mplain. Possessing such a country 
as Calilbrnia, with her gold mountains and 
gold lakes, it would not becoming in us to 
begrudge to England whatever of the pre- 
cious dust she can glean Irom the sands of 
Africa. But this is only one item in the 
thrit'ty trade she is driving with that coun- 
try. The aggregate value of the exports 
of tlie Al'rican colonies is reckoned at over 
two and a half millions, while their im- 
ports, principally irom Great Britain. 
amount to thirty millions. Our share of 
this trade, if we excej^t Liberia, does not 
exceed $10,000. And yet the population 
of Liberia is estimated at 87.000, that of 
Sierra Leone at 40,000, and that of all 
other settlements at 500,000, making a 
total of 627,000. 

It may be said that this trade is small, 
but then it should be remembered that the 
colonies are yet in their infancy — that they 
are constantly extending and increasing 
in popvdation, and promise to become of 
much importance politically and commer- 
cially. The coniniittec's report explains 
all the mor;il and political advantages of 
the plan ; and when the whole are con- 
sidered together, it strikes us that the 
subject deserves the most earnest and de- 
liberate attention of Congress. It is also 
to be borne in mind, that the steamers 
would touch at all the important islands of 



68 



Africa — and some of tliesc, wc well know, 
occupy a conspicuous ranlc, in a coauncr- 
cial sense. 



DE BOWS ,NR\V-ORLEANS) REVIEW. 

The value of the commerce of Africa to 
the Unitcil States is steadily and rapidly 
advancing, and needs but encouragement 
from our Government to make it, in a few 
years, as valuable to our country as that 
of Great Britain was twenty yeans ago. 

Dm-ing the hist ten or fdteen years great 
discoverie.-? Jiave been made in and about 
Africa, and many new and important 
facts brought to light. In addition to t he- 
numerous eligible points on the coast, oc- 
cupied by slave traders, the French have 
had for some time a settlement on the 
Senegal, and have recently taken posses- 
sion oi' the Gaboon region ; the Danes are 
on the Rio Volta ; the Dutch on the gold 
coast ; the Portuguese at Loango ; the 
Americans at Liberia — now formed into 
an independent Republic, Avith laws mod- 
elled atter our own — an(i the English at 
Sierra Leone, in the Gambia, and on the 
gold coast. 

From the results of these colonies, and 
the testimony of travellers, such as Park, 
Lander, Laird, Clapperton, Burckhart, 
McCiueen, Duncan, and others, avc are af- 
(brded evidence that nature has scattered 
her bounties with the most lavish hand, 
and that what is required to make them 
available to the noblest purjioses is a le- 
gitimate commerce, sustained by our rul- 
ers, and directed by honorable men. 

Among the productions of the soil may 
be named : 

Grain. — Rice, Indian corn, Guinea corn, 
millet, wheat, domah, &,c. 

FruiUt. — Oranges, lemons, limes, gua- 
vas, pines, citrons. j)apaw,s, plantains, ba- 
nanas, dates, tamarinds, and mango jilum, 
&c. 

Roots. — Manioc, igname, butalet^, yams, 
cas.sada, arrow-root, ginger, «weet potato, 
beans, pe;is, &c. 

Timbnr. — Teak, ebony, lignumvitai, 
rosewood, oak, mahogony, and forty or 
fifty other species of woo(l, suitable for all 
pur}K)-!es. 

Nuts. — Palm nut, shea or butter mjt. 
cocoa nut. cola nut, croton nut, castor oil 
nut. netta nut. jjcanut, &c. 

JJijes, — Carmine, yellow varimis shades, 
blue, orange various shades, red, crimson, 
brown, &c. 

I)yexoood8. — (Jamwood barwood, dec. 



Git ins. — Copal, Senegal, mastic, sudan, 
&c. 

Drugs. — Aloes, Cassia, senna, frankin- 
cense, copaiva, &c. 

Minfrals. — Gold, iron, copper, emery, 
sal amoniac. nitre, &,c. 

' Misrf'JlaneoKs. — Sugar cane, coffee, co- 
coa, cotton, indigo, tobacco. India rubber, 
beeswax, ostrich fcatliers, hides, skins, 
ivory, pejiperof all varieties, spices, hemp, 
honey, &c. 

In the animal kingdom I find that, in 
addition to the wild beasts which infest its 
forests and occupy its swamps, and whose 

: skins, teeth, and horns are valuable as ar- 
ticles of conunerce, immense herds of cattle, 
incalculable in number, range its plains. 
Hides, therelore, to almost any amount, 

': may be obtained. Sheep and goat skins, 
of a very large kind, are equally numerous 
and very valuable. Fish of all kinds visit 
the shores and rivers in innumerable shoals, 
and are easily taken in large quantities 
during the proper season. 

The mineral kingdom has not been ex- 
plored, but enougii is known to show that 
the precious metals abound, particularly 
gold. This is found througliout the known 
regions of Africa, in b(Hls of rivers and in 
mines. Dupuis and Bowditch speak of 
the " solid lumps of rock gold" wiiich or- 
nament the persons of the attendants in 
tlie Court ol' the King of Ashantce, at 
Coomassie. Mrs. Bowditcli says the great 
men will frequently, on state occasions, so 
load their wrisls witli these lumps that 
they are obliged to support them on the 
head of a boy. 

The iron ore, found near Sierra Leone, 
is particularly rich, yielding seventy-nine 
per cent., and is said to be well adapted to 
making steel. Copper is so abundant in 
Mayoml)a tliat they gather from the* sur- 
face of the ground enough lor their ])ur- 
poses. 

A few wonls on the productiveness of 
the soil. It has been proved that tv.o 
crops of corn, sweet potatoes, and .several 
other vegetables, can be. and are, rai.sed in 
a year. They yield a larger crop than 
the best .soils in America. One acre o!" 
rich laud, well tilled, says Governor Ash- 
nuMi, will proiiucr three hundred dollans' 
worth of indigo. Half an acre may be 
made to grow half a ton of arrow-root, 
Four acres laid out in coffee plants will, 
after the third year, produce a clear in 

I come of two or three hundred dollar.--. 
Half an acre of cotton trees, yielding cot- 

I ton ol'an equal, il'not superior, length ar)d 

! strength of staple and fineness and color 



69 



than iliir '• Orleans," will clotlie a wlioli; 
family, and one acre ol' canes will make 
the same number independent of all the 
world for sugar. The dyes in particular 
are found to resist both acids and light, 
properties which no other dyes that we 
know of possess. 

In the year 1810, thirty-nine British 
vessels arrived at Cape Coast. §incc 
that time the trade has been gradually 
improving. The last year's report, which 
we have received, sets down the imports 
into Cape Coast as amounting to £243,173 
sterling. The imports daring the same 
period into Asia were £95,000, and the 
■exports £115,000 sterling. The total ex- 
port of British merchandise to Africa is at 
present estimated at £5,000,000 sterling 
per annum. 

The average import of palm oil alone 
into Liverpool^ for some years past, has 
been at least 15,000 tons a year, valued at 
about £400,000 sterling, and giving em- 
ployment to 25,000 or 30,000 tons of ship- 
ping. The imports into' the Republic of 
Liberia are estimated, by an American 
(white) physician who has spent six years 
there, at $120,000 per Lunium, and the ex- 
ports as reacliing ver}^ nearly the same 
amount. The commerce of our own coun- 
try with Africa is daily becoming an im- 
portant item. The principal seats of this 
trade are Salem, Massachusetts, and Pro- 
vidence, Rhode Island. New- York occa- 
sionally sends, while our city has at the 
present time five sail of brigs and barques 
actively and profitably employed. One of 
our merchants stated that he cleared 
$12,000, in one year, on the .single article 
of ground or peanuts. Strange as it may 
appear, nearly all these nuts are trans- 
shipped to France, where they command 
a ready sale, are there converted into, and 
thence find their way over the world, in 
tlie shape of olice oil — the skill of the 
French chemists enabling them to simu- 
late the real Lucca and Florence oil so as 
to deceive the nicest judges. Indeed, the 
oil from peanuts possesses a sweetness and 
delicacy not to be surpassed. 

While we greatly regret that there are 
no means of acquiring proper and correct 
information of the commerce of Africa, yet 
we presume, from the facts we have al- 
ready given, that there are at least 100,- 
000,000 of inhabitants m that continent, 
the wliole of whom are not only willing, 
but anxious to exchange tlie various pro- 
ducts of their prolific soil, for the dry goods, 
powder, rum, beads, pipe.s, tobacco, lead 
bars, iron bars, hardware, glassware, 

10 



earthenware, brassware. cowries, soap, 
Hints, tallow and sperm candlus, wiiies, 
beet; pork, lard. Hour, meal, ham.s, tongues, 
biscuit, crackers, perfumery, and the thou- 
sand other articles jiroduced by the skill 
antl industry of our citizens. 

So important and valuable has this rap- 
idly increasing conuniTcc become to Great 
Britahi,* that we cannot but notice the 
great efforts which have been made, and 
are making, by that power to secure all 
the trade of Africa to her mcn:hants. In 
addition to the aid given to various enter- 
prising travellers, and the enormous ex- 
pense borne by her in keeping up a large 
and efficient squadron on the coast, and in 
sustaining her colonies there, we behold 
her pouring forth innuense sums of money 
on the celel)rated " Niger expedition " ; in 
sending Mr. Duncan to negotiate a treaty 
with the powerful King of Dahomey ; and 
in the ready acknowledgment of the inde- 
pendence of the Republic of Liberia — en- 
tering immediately into a treaty of com- 
merce and amity — and the kind attention 
shown President Roberts during his brief 
stay in that country. 

It therefore well becomes our Govern- 
ment to awaken themselves to the impor- 
tance of the African trade. Ours are em- 
phatically a commercial people, and, to 
enable them to enter into competitions 
with the English traders, demands the 
earliest and most serious attention. 



* Since writing the foregoing, information has been 
received by the steiimer America, '• that it is in contem- 
plation by some Liverpool merchants — with ever)' pros- 
pect of success — to form an African Companv, with a 
capital of X100,000, in 2,000 shares of jCaO each, for Iho 
purpose of trade with Africa." 



THE SOUTH CAROLINA MISCELL.\Ny. 

The committee very properly says: 
" The question of slavery, now the cause 
oi' so deep an excitement, is not to any ex- 
tent, either directly or indirectly, involved. 
The Government of the United States, it 
is admitted on all hands, has no power to 
interfere with that subject within the 
several States. Neither does the proposi- 
tion at all interfere witli tlic question of 
emancipation." This caution has been of 
little avail, a furious outcry lias been made, 
b}' some Abolition prints, against the Re- 
port, which, at least, has the merit of con- 
sistency, tor A bolitioni.sts were never kuown 
to iavor a jiroject which tended the most 
remotely to benefit either the slave, or free 
nearro. 



70 



The objects to be accoinplislird by tlie 
line of steamers, aside Iroin carrying the 
mails and having steamships in readiness 
to be converted, when needed, to war pur- 
poses, are (1) commercial advantages : by 
this means England has gathered to her 
bosom the treasures of China and the 
East Inilies : she lias lines, either in opera- 
tion or under contract, to all the coumier- 
cial marts of the world, and unless our 
Government spcecUly secures the inex- 
haustible resources of Africa, they will 
Boon be taken to enrich Great Britain. 
(2) The suppression of the Slave Trade : 
the ineliiciency of the plan in operation — 
the joint squadron oi' tlie United States 
and Great Britan, has been completely de- 
monstrated. (3) It will open an easy, 
commodious and speedy means of transpor- 
tation, to Free Negroes. This is especial- 
ly a matter ol" interest to the South. 



THE CHARLESTON (S. C.) COURIER. 

The Colonization scheme — the most be- 
nificent ever devised lor the benefit of the 
race — holds out some promises of success, 
and may yet be the means of redeeming it 
from bondage and ignorance, and render- 
ing it worthy of participating in. and capa- 
ble of enjoying the blessings of freedom 
and civilization. Who does not see, in the 
brightening pro.spects of theMonrovian and 
Liberian colonies, tlie hand of Providence, 
working indeed under a dark veil, but still 
bringing good out of apparent evil? For 
it was by their previous sojourn in tlie 
house of bondage, and by their contact 
with, and the improvement they derived 
from their intercourse with llicir white 
brethren, that the more enlightened por- 
tion ol' tlie race have been enabled to carry 
back the lights of civilization, religion and 
improvement to their native siiores; 
wlience it may be hoped that they will at 
last be diffused over those long benighted 
regions, and '• the Nations sitting in Dark- 
ness." 



KEM.\RKS OK HON. IIKNRV <'I,.\Y. 

I.N mi: Sknatk. J.\.n. 1"i, 1S")1. 

.Mr. 1 'resident. 1 have several petitions 
uliieh J desire to present. Two of them 
are of the wmie tenor an<l ellect. signed liy 
a huf^e nuniU-r of the citizens of the Stalu 
of Indiana. The petitioners any that, beinj^ 
anxious to remove from our laud the greatest 



cause ol discord, and to secure the future 
welfare, harmony, and permanenc}- of the 
Union — bavins; in view an object upon which 
they believe the great body of all parties and 
of every .section of the country can unite — 
thev respectfullv pray that Congress will 
pass a bill providing means to remove from 
our country all that portion of the African 
race who are both willing and ready to 
emigrate to Africa ; that suitable provision 
be made for their real wants for one year 
after their arrival in Africa ; and, as a greater 
inducement for them to emigrate, that a 
bounty of land Ije given them on their 
arrival, upon which the}* ma}', with in- 
dustry and economy, support themselves ; 
and make such other provision as may be 
most desirable, 

I have another petition which has some 
analogj' to that, and which I take particular 
pleasure in presenting, both on account of 
the distinguished and respectable .source 
whence it emanates, and on account of the 
prayer of the petition. It is a petition from 
Rhode Island, and is signed by a large 
portion of the elite of that State ; by the 
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, by 
every member of its Senate, by most of the 
members of the House, by a great number 
of ex-governors, ex-senators, ex-members of 
the House of Representatives, and bj- many 
of the /tierait of that State, heads of colleges, 
and by a vast number of citizens in private 
life. 

This petition earnestly invites the attention 
of Congress to measures tor the more eti'ectual 
suppression of the African slave trade. In 
their petition, in vivid and frightful colors, 
])ut I think not exaggerated colors, they 
depict the horrors of that trade. They state 
that the measures which have been adopted 
by the three great Powers, the United States, 
Great Britain, and France, to suppress that 
trade I.\y means of keeping stationary 
squadrons upon the coast of Africa, have 
totally failed. They .say, and 1 am happy to 
be al:)le to confirm that statement from the 
recordsof the American Colonization Society, 
that the only effectual remedy for the sajv 
pression of the slave trade has been found to 
be the establishment of colonies upon tlie 
western coast of Africa ; that there are 
colonics now occupying about onc-thii"d of 
the western coast of Africa ; and that 
wherever they have been planted there is an 
entire and absolute suppres.sion of the African 
slave trade, so lar as that coast is concerned. 
Tiiey therefoi-c pray that a line of steamers 
may lie estal)lished. or a line of sailing 
packets, for the purpo.se of augmenting the 
inhabitants of the colonies, in view of the 



71 



object which they desire to sec accomplished, 
the successful suppression ofthe African slave 
trade. 

Mr. President, will the Senate pardon me 
if I add a few observations on the general 
subject '? A document was laid before the 
Senate a few day« ago, containing correspon- 
dence between our public functionaries at 
Rio Janeiro and the Department of Slate. 
It well deserves the careful perusal of eveiy 
member of this body. I have given it such 
perusal. It appears from that document 
that, notwithstanding all that has been done 
by the three great Powers to which I have 
before referred, the slave trade is perhaps 
carried on to as great extent in the empire 
of Brazil as it ever has been ; that during 
the years 1846-'47-'48 and '49, within the 
single province of Rio Janeu'0, 173,000 slaves 
were imported. I have no data before me 
from which to state the number imported 
into the other provinces of the Brazilian 
Empire, or into the island of Cuba, but I 
believe the number will be as extensive as 
those imported into the province of Rio 
Janeiro. 

But these petitioners disclose other facts, 
which no American can read without pro- 
found regret. They say that this trade in 
slaves which is carried on from ports of 
Brazil to the coast of Africa, is chiefly 
carried on by iVmerican vessels, and that in 
the course of four or five years past ninety- 
three American vessels have cleared from 
the ports of Brazil to the coast of Africa ; 
and that most of them returned (although 
some were captured) laden with cargoes of 
slaves. The mode' in which they accomphsh 
the object is worthy of some notice. The 
American vessel is bought in some of the 
Brazilian ports, but she is to be delivered in 
an African port. She sails under American 
colors, and is laden with provisions and other 
apphances adapted to the prosecution of the 
African trade, and passes over the ocean 
without molestation, because we have, very 
properly, perhaps, refused to the British the 
right of search, and have not allowed it to be 
exercised by any foreign Power whatever. 
The vessel sails under the American Hag, 
though it is laden with articles beyond all 
question adapted, and only adapted, to the 
slave trade. She arrives safely in one of the 
African ports. In a few days after her ar- 
rival, the captain goes on shore, meets with 
the agent who is to receive the vessel, and 
returns and proclaims to the crew that the 
vessel has been sold — that her crew is to be 
changed — that her American flag is to be 
pulled down and another one hoisted, in 
order to carry a cargo of slaves back to 



Brazil; and these poor American seamen 
arc often left to jjcrish on the inliospituble 
coast of Ali-ira, for want of tiio means tii re- 
turn to their own country, and are often 
compelled to engage in the navigation of the 
slave vessel, as being the only means by 
which they can get back to their own 
country. 

Sir, it has been suggested that certain 
regulations of commerce should be made, 
which, with other reasons, will induce me, 
before I take my seat, to move tiie reference 
of this petition to the Committee on Com- 
merce. The petitioners propo.se that the 
grant of sea letters be withheld from vessels 
clearing from Brazil to the Afi-ican coast. 
They declare that there is no trade what- 
ever other than that connected with the 
slave trade, and that there is therefore no 
other motive for an American vessel clearing 
out of a Brazilian port for the coast of Africa. 
They consequently recommend that there 
should be a refusal henceforward to grant 
any sea letter or other document enabling 
the ship to .sail under the American flag 
from these ports to the coast of Africa. They 
also recommend other regulations, which I 
will not detain the Senate b}^ stating, for the 
purpose of exempting our navigation from 
any participation in that odious traffic. 

Mr. President, I believe it is the judgment 
of the British puljhc, as I think it is of the 
American public, that the keeping of 
squadrons upon the coast of Africa with 
a view to the suppression of the slave trade 
is a failure, or, at all events, that it is attended 
with an enormous amount of expense, and 
with a vast and inhuman sacrifice of health 
and life, which is not justified, not com- 
pensated by any value which these squadrons 
render for the object in view — the sup- 
pression of the African slave trade. So 
strong was the conviction of the British 
mind in relation to this subject, that I under- 
stand it was with the utmost difficulty that 
Lord Palmerston prevailed on Parliament 
to continue the keeping up of these squadrons 
a year or two longer. 

AVe not only keep up, by the eighth arti- 
cle of the treaty of Washington, a squadron 
amounting to at least eighty guns on the 
coast of Africa, but we also keep up in 
reference to the same object, a large and 
extensive squadron upon the coast of Brazil. 
I have not resorted to the proper sources 
of information, but I am svn-c that I am safe 
in sajdng that we expend upon the two 
coasts of Brazil and Africa not less than, 
perhaps, half a million of dollars, independ- 
ent of that sacrifice of human life which 
has taken place in consequence of the em- 



72 



ploymcnt of our foroes there. I will not 
SJiy, us is said in this petition, that it has 
been a tot;il failure, fur I believe there have 
been occasional captures ; but then there 
has been a gi-eater degree of stimulus given 
to the trade. I doubt very much \Vhether 
there would not be less loss of African life, 
if there were no attempt whatever to .sup- 
pre.«s the slave trade by means of these 
squa<lrons than there is in consequence of 
keeping them ; the result of which is merely 
to niultipl}' adventurers to send out more 
ships, to run more chances, to take more 
risks, in order to secure the object of trans- 
jtorting tlie slaves to the Brazils or to Cuba 
from the coast of Africa. .Sir. 1 believe 
there is no eftectual remedy for the sup- 
pression of the slave trade but the occupa- 
tion in Africa of the coast itself, and stop- 
ping it at the tlireshhold where it begins. 
liy the eighth article of the treaty of Wash- 
ington, to which 1 have referred, we were 
only bound to continue that scpiadron for a 
period of five years. The five years have 
long since expired — in 1847 ; and }'et we 
continue tliis squadron down to this time. 
Now. without reference to any of the sub- 
jects which I have thouglit proper to pre- 
sent to the Senate, without regard to the 
suppression of the slave trade, without refer- 
ence to the great interest of colonization, I 
think, as a mere measure of financial econo- 
mv. it is worth considering whether we 
shall expose the lives of our gallant seamen 
in such an inhospitable clinic, at .such a vast 
expense, and reaping so little benefit from 
the operation. 

Mr. President, I own that the subject of 
colonization, important as I think it is for 
the suppression of the African slave trade, 
commends itself to my mind by some addi- 
tional considerations. Although I may be 
thought extravagant in my view, I declare 
tlial I if all the jjrojocts of Ike age. there is 
none to compare with that great jrroject 
(f transporting tliefne people of color in 
the United ^States with tiieir own consent 
to the coast if Africa. ^Vhat is to be done 
with them ? "\Vhat hius been done Avith 
thcjn, T ask again ? Even here, under our 
noses within this District, in the course of 
the last ten years they have doubled in 
number. States aie passing ihc most rigor- 
ous laws to exclude tiieni from their terri- 
tory. Some States, indeed, arc introducing 
into the fundamental law. the constitution, 
a provision against the rcix'ption of any frci; 
jKoph' of I'olor within their liordcrs. What 
is to becr)iiic of them, J ask again, in the 
nam<' of humanity anil of justice? I .see 
no other remedy than that of .sending them 



back to the land whence their ancestors 
were taken, and I can conceive of no portion 
of the population of the United States which 
will not be benefited by such transfer of the 
free people of color from the T'nited States 
to Africa. The whites at the North would 
be benefited, the whites at the South would 
be benefited, the slaves would be benefited 
— the poor creatures themselves would be 
benefited ; for, instead of remaining in a 
country whcj'c they never can be elevated 
to high soc-ial and political condition Avith 
the whites, where the\^ must forever remain 
a degraded, corrupt and dissolute class, if 
carried to the country of their ancestors 
they vaay rise into an imjiortance which 
they never can attain here. Every con- 
ceivable interest will be promoted ; com- 
merce will be promoted ; civilization will l)e 
promoted ; religion will be promoted, by 
the transfer of the fi-ee people of color with 
their own consent from the United States 
to Africa. -\nd what interest, what portion 
of the popidation of this countr}- will lie 
injured by such a transportation of these 
persons ? None, none whatever. 

1 will not detain the Senate longer upon 
this subject. 1 should be ex-tremely glad if 
Senators would turn their attention to the 
Executive document to wliich T have re- 
ferred, and would give some consideration 
to the suggestions which T have made. 

Ah ! jNir. President, if we wuulil only 
renounce those unhappy subjects of agita- 
tion which have distracted our country too 
long, and .so greatly — if the ])eopIe of the 
North would only allow' the people of tlio 
South to manage their own domestic all'airs 
in then* own way — if they would only rc- 
rtect that if slavery is fraught with evils, 
the evils are not felt by those at the North, 
but arc confined to where the slaves are — if 
' we Avould only cease to agitate each other, 
' and agitate our country, and endanger our 
! T'nion itself, by continuing these unh:ii)py 
.subjects of controversy and strife, and all 
come together upon this great comn on 
object, in whicli the free States are as much 
I interested as the slave States — and unite all 
! our energies in directing the free people ol 
' color from the sliores of America to that 
place whi:re they can enjoy real freedom, 
; and pursue their own happiness, what :i 
j glorious result would it be for our comilry ! 
.Sir, I beg pardon for h.aving kept tlir 
attention of the Senate so long. 1 movi' 
I tliat the petitions, without reading, be re- 
ferred to the Comuiittec on Commerce. 
'J'iiey were referred. 

The petition was sign(;d by the (iovcrnor, 
Licutcniuit Governor, members of the Stale 



73 



Senate, fiftj^-four of sixty-eight tViat consti- 
tute the State Legislature, the C-hief Jus- 
tice and three Associate Jndges of the 
Supreme Court of Iihodc Island ; F. Way- 
land, President of Brown UniversitA'- ; the 
United States District Judge, ex-District 
Judges, ex-Members of Congress, ex-United 
States Senators, ex-Covcrnors, &c. 



Extracts of a Letter from President 
Roberts, of Liberia, in regard to 
the proposed Line of Steamers to 
Africa. 

Government House, Monrovia, 
September 30th, 1850. 
M. Si. Clair Clark. Esq. 

Sir : — I have the honor of your esteemed 
favor of June 25th, which I have read with 
attention and much satisfaction. I have 
received by the Liberia packet, as you inti- 
mated I would. Judge Bryan's memorial, 
and circular accompanj'ing it, to Congress, 
asking the co-operation of the United States 
Government in what I consider a grand and 
important scheme. There is no question in 
mjr mind but that a line of steamships be- 
tween the United States and this country 
would produce important results in favor of 
colonization, as well as the commercial inter- 
ests both of the United States and Liberia. 

With such facilities as this scheme would 
afford colonization, emigration would be 
greatly augmented. There are unquestion- 
ably hundreds, perhaps thousands, in the 
United States, who, for man}' years, have 
been violently'- opposed to the Colonization 
Society, and will not now, they sa3% have 
any thing to do with it, though their preju- 
dices against Liberia have ceased, that would 
avail themselves of such a conve3-ance — 
cheap and quick — to emigrate to Liberia. 
The society, also, would be able to increa.sc 
the number of emigrants coming out under 
its auspices, at the moderate rate of passage 
proposed, two hundred per cent. 

The commercial advantages which will 
accrue to both countries, especially the 
United States, are important considerations. 
But I am needlessly taking up your time. 
You have maturely considered all these 
things, and have arrived at just conclusions 
with respect to the future result. I sin- 
cerely praj' that God may spare l)Oth youi- 
life and mine to see the consummation of 
this great work. I am exceedingly gratilied 
at the favor the proposition has met with 
at Washington. I hope, ere this, a bill 
favoring the views of Judge Bryan and his 



associates has been presented to Congrcs."? 
and ha,s ul)t.iine(| Uie concurrence of that 
body. 

***♦**«. 

With high regard. 1 remain. Sir, your 
humble and obedient servant, 

J. J. ROBERTS. 



The Proposal of the British Gov- 
ernment to invite Emkir.\tion of 
Free Blacks from the United 
States to the British West In- 
dies. 

From the New-York Ctoloni/!ilion.I(,uniai,.Iunuary, Iflil. 

" The Trinidad })apers contain a com- 
munication from Mr. Hawes. fiu! Under 
Secretary of State lor the Colonics, to 
David TurnbiiU, Esq., upon tlic subject 
of Colored Immigration from the United 
States of America. The Secretary trans- 
mits with this comnmnication a meiuoran- 
dum explanatory of Lord Grey'.s views 
upon the subject, and raimtions thatsliould 
Mr. TurnbuU concur in those views, his 
Lordship would i)roposo forwarding copies 
of the memorandum to the Governors of 
the West India Colonies, and would alcio 
request Viscount Palmerston to send some 
of them to the British Consuls for circula- 
tion at those places in the United States 
from which emigrants would be likely to 
go ; and he adds that. ' bet(:)rc talcing these 
steps, it would be necessary to a.scertain 
officially that there v.'ould be no objection 
to this on the part ol' the United Slates 
Government; as it must of course be dis- 
tinctly understood that otherwise Iier 
Majesty's Government could not counte- 
nance any attempt of t!ie l;in<l propo.sed." 
Mr. Hawes's letter is dated the Mth ol' 
August last. 

•• The Kingston (Jamaica) Journal, in 
the course of some remarks on the subject, 
says, ' Government interference is not ne- 
cessary to promote tliis migration, and 
steps cannot be too soon taken to adver- 
tise the free colored Americans of the 
Southern States that they may enjoy in 
Jamaica what they have heard of in their 
native land — liberty and equality ; liberty 
to do all that an honest, industrious, and 
virtuous citizen could desire to do; and 
equality ol' civil and political rights. 
Should the Home Government, however, 
ascertain, ;:s we have no doubt tliat it will 
seek to do. that the United States Govern- 
ment has no objection to the emigration of 
its colored subject.-^ to the British Wctjt 



Indies, it will tiuni be advisable to consider 
the measures which Earl Grey conceives 
to be necessary in promoting such emigra- 
tion, and for settling the parties in town- 
ehips when they arrive here.' " 

It is the true policy of the United States 
to encourage the emigration ol' free ne- 
groes to ^V'estern Africa, instead of the 
British West Indies. By establishing a 
line of steamers to Liberia, as proj)osed by 
thcXaval Committee of the House of Re- 
presentatives, the voyage of the emigrants 
will be efibcted in a quick and pleasant 
manner, and the same steamers, running 
from Liberia to Gibraltar. Cadiz, Lisbon. 
Havre, and London, will open u]) a rich 
commerce between Liberia and thos(* ports, 
by which the prosperity of the colonists 
will be secured. Sufficient inducements 
will thus be held out to the emigrants to 
prefer Liberia to the West Indies. In the 
former they will, moreover, enjoy political 
and social advantages not to be obtained 
in the latter. Leaving the coast and pen- 
etrating the hilly region lying behind Li- 
beria, they will enjoy a health}' climate. 

If the emigration of the free colored 
people of the United States be now di- 
verted from the West Indies, and directed 
to Western AiHca. aa asijbivi will he 
erected, capable of receiving any portion, 
however large, of the African race now 
amongst us which it maij be found desira- 
ble to settle there. On the other hand, un- 
less suitable encouragement is alforded by 
Congress to the cause of African coloniza- 
tion, no such asylum will be brought into 
existence, but our free colored people will 
be induced by the British Government to 
assist in building up a poweri'ul confede- 
racy in the West Indies, full of hostility to 
our Government. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT 
OF THE REV. R. R. GURLEY 

TO THE GOVERN.MKNT OF THE UNITED 
STATES, ON THE CONDITION, RE.S0UHCE9, 
AND PROSF'ECTS OF I.IBF.RIA. 

Wa.suington. Feb. 15, ISdO. 
Sir, — The resultn of my observations 
and inquiries, during a recent visit to tlie 
republic of Liberia, and also to the colony 
founded by the Colonization Society and 
Suite of Maryland at Cape Palinas, under 
your iiiHtructions, 1 have now the honor to 
submit to the consideration ol' your de|)arl- 
rncrit. atid to the President oi' the United 
S tates. 



On the 1st of August. I took passage at 

i Baltimore in the Liberia Packet, which 

made Cape Mount, on the African coast, 

on the morning of the ISth of September. 



From my experience of two months on 
the coast of Liberia, I may be allowed to 
.say, that my impressions of the African 
climate are more favorable than those I 
had derived from books ; for, though our 
arrival occurred during the latter portion 
of what is called the rainy season, and we 
continued on the coast during most of the 
transition period from that to the dry .sea- 
son, the weather was generally clear and 
pleasant, and we were seldom deterred for 
an entire day from visiting the shore, or 
from moderate physical exertion. 

During the African rain.s, strangers no- 
tice not only an extraordinary moisture in 
the atmosphere, but a peculiar power in 
the sun's rays, though the heat at all 
seasons is less, as indicated by the ther- 
mometer, than that occasionally known in 
j the United States. We passed through 
Avhat is called the tornado season without 
i experiencing any storm which could with 
i propriety be termed a tornado ; and the 
' weather during the whole time wc w-ere 
on the coast was not gr(!atlyditferent from 
the ordinary summer weather of our own 
Southern States. 

No one can look upon the athletic, finely 
, proportioned and developed forms of the 
j native Africans, or upon a congregation ot 
I the, inhabitants of Monrovia, or of the 
! other towns and villages of the Liberian 
repui)lic. and retain the idea that health 
cannot be (mjoyod on the African coast. 
The general asj)ect of the people of Libe- 
ria is healthy ; and I am convinced, from 
much ob.'^ervaiion and many iiKjuiries, that 
the dangers of the climate to colored im- 
migrants are becoming less and less Ibr- 
midable, and that soon they will, to a good 
degree, be averted, by the cultivation of 
the soil, an appropriate regimen, and in- 
i creased mediiMl experienct; and skill. 
I Having visited Atrica in my }outh, and 
I witnessed, in company with the distin- 
j guished and lamented Ashmun, the first 
buddings of civilized and Christian lile on 
, Cape Alontserado. it may be reailily imag- 
ined that I could not, aficr a quarter of a 
century, look again upon that venlaiit 
promontorj" — that 1 could not again tread 
the streets of IMonrovia — that I could not 
{ meet those who, so in any years ago, ex- 
' tended to mc their hospitalities — could not 



75 



behold tliat humble conimuiiity, who. 
when I first stood there, were nialdng some 
narrow openings in the dense Ibrest, und 
sheltering themselves beneath some tliirty 
or ibrty thatched rool's, lew, feeble, antl 
exposed to barbarous toes, now risen, 
through the i'avoring hand of the Almighty, 
by their fortitude and energy, to the ele- 
vation of an indejiendenl. republic, ac- 
knowledged as such by two of the most 
powerful nations — witliout a deep sense of 
the divine goodness to the people of Li- 
beria, and to the writer, in that he was 
permitted to see on that shore the reno- 
vating power of a government oi' consti- 
tuted liberty, pervaded by the Christian 
spirit, and encompassed by the highest 
motives to beneficence. 

On our arrival, several vessels were 
moored in the harbor of Monrovia (among 
them the American man-oi'-war schooner 
Decatur, Captain Byrne, and the Lark, 
a small, beautiful armed vessel, presented 
to the authorities oi' Liberia by the Engli-sh 
government;) and. as we dropped anchor, 
the steamer of her Britannic Majesty wliicii 
had brought out the commercial treaty 
ratified between Great Britain and the re- 
public was taking her departure. The 
reception of this treaty was announced by 
the thunder of cannon from the heights of 
Monrovia, and the summit of the Cape, 
and signalized by mutual congratulations 
among the citizens, and bj^ signs and ex- 
pressions of universal joy. 

To President Roberts and the members 
of his cabinet I am indebted ibr intbrmation 
on a great variety of topics, clieertuUy 
communicated in every instance; and to 
the courtesy ot" these gentlemen, and to 
that of the oflicers and citizens of the re- 
public generally, for united and zealous 
endeavors to oj)en to me all avenues for a 
personal examination ol' the condition, re- 
lations, and prospects ol' their conmion- 
wealth. The people of Monrovia, and of 
the neighboring settlements, after due 
notice, assembled in public meeting, and 
appointed a committee ot five of their 
number to report on the state and pros- 
pects of the republic ; and their examj)le 
was imitated by the citizens of the tvro 
counties of Grand Bassa and Sinou. 

The facts and sentiments I have the 
lienor to submit, in reply to the questions 
specified in my instructions, were derived 
from the best testimony and sources of 
information to which I could find access ; 
and though I have not the vanity to ima- 
gine that they are tinged by no error, I 



Iiavc roiifidencp that in the main, and in 
all essetnial particulars. Ihey are correct. 

TOPOGH.VrniCAL I.I.MITS. 

In regard to the " limits within which 
the republic claims and exercises juris- 
diction." it should be stated, that the ter- 
ritories both of the re|)ublic and of the 
Maryland Colony founded at C'ape Paimas 
are included under the general name of 
Liberia. As the result of actual pur- 
chase from the native propritJtors, the 
republic holds political jurisdiction over the 
country from Manna, a jioint bordering on 
the notorious Gallenas, on the northwest 
to Grand Sesters on the east, a distance' 
on the coast, of three hundred and fifty 
miles, with an average extent interior of 
forty miles — the boundary line enlosing a 
space of about Iburteen "thousand square 
miles. The authority of the Maryland 
Colony extends from Grand Sesters to the 
river Pedro, a distance by water of one 
hundred and twenty miles, and bv land of 
one liundred and Ibrty or fiftv miles. Jm- 
])ortant acquisitions of territory have been 
made within the last tew months by the 
republic, and also by the Ahu-yland 
Colony. 

The Rev. John Day, the intelligent su- 
perintendent of the' Southern Baptist 
Missi(m, who resides at Bexley. on the St. 
Johns, and who has travelled into the in- 
terior to the distance of.'^eventy or .seventy- 
five miles, thus describes the countrv : — 
"From seven to twenty miles the country 
is beavitilullyundulaling, and intcrsj;er.sed 
with the most lovely rills of excellent 
water, clear as crystal. Ibaming and .scold- 
ing among tlie rocks, presenting a tliousand 
mill seats. The air in that region is siihi- 
brious and bracing, the soil deep and rich, 
covered with a forest which, lor the height 
and size of the frees, I have never seen 
equalled. From twenty to thirty miles is 
a region of small mountains, of Irom three 
to five hundred feet in elevation. These 
mountains iire covered with a rich tbrest. 
and may be cultivated. 1 have stood ori 
the summit ot" one of them, cultivated to 
the top, and thence beheld a delightful 
prospect. Beyond these liill.s, or moun- 
tains, as we call them, the land beconiea 
generally more level to tlie distance of 
seventy miles, the extent of my interinr 
travels. 1 am told by the natives that a 
day's wall; bcj-ond are lofiier mountains, 
(which it will requii-e a whole day io as- 
cend.) and very steep; if .so. the countrv 
I speak of is a valley. The soil for the 



76 



whole distance is rich, water abundant and 
iTood, and the cau^^e of disease is no more 
anparont than in level regions in America. 
It our people want health, they may as 
surely obtain it in the mountainous region 
as bv transatlantic trips. I have left home 
in bad iieallh. on preaching tours of two 
or tliree weeUs, and returned vigorous and 
strong. The birds sing more sweetly 
there, and the flowers arc more beautiful 
and Iragrant, than in the marshy region 
bordering on the sea. The natives are 
more cheerful, stout, industrious, honest, 
happy, and hopeful, every way. in that 
region. To thousands in that Ibrest-clad 
region have I preached, wiiile they were 
as'' attentive even as congregations in 
America." 

POPULATION. 

In regard to the population comprised in 
the republic, and the comparative number 
of the castes composing it, and their I'eel- 
higs towards one another. I may observe 
that the emigrant population in the repub- 
lic is estimated at six thousand, and the na- 
tive population at one hundred and Ibrty 
or two hundred thousand. Of the Mary- 
land colony, the emigrant inliabitants are 
about nine hundred, and tlic natives es- 
timated at one hundred tliousand. separat- 
ed into immerous small tribes, varying in 
language, independent of each other in 
matters ol' domestic concern, yet slightly 
united, within certain limits, on questions 
of general and common interest. The na- 
tive people of this region of Africa bear a 
etriking similarity in manners, character. 
and superstitions. 

The Bassas are south of Cape Moutse- 
rado. are more numerous than both of the 
preceding tribes, and, with tiieir allies in 
the county of Grand Bassa, are estimated 
at fifty thousand. They are described as 
mild, peaceful, and, in certain respects, in- 
dustrious, oci^upying a country oi' great 
fertility, and wlucli, oven under their ex- 
ceedingly imperiect cultivation, yields a 
large surplus of rice, palm oil, poultry, 
cattle, and the various vegeUiblcs and fruits 
of tropical Africa — as friendly to the 
American (nnigranls, eager for trade, di.-^- 
posed to labor lor a moderate com])t;ns:i- 
tion, an<l as much inclined as any of i In- 
native people of thai country to accjuirc 
the manners, tiie arts and t!ie habits of 
I ivili/alion. 

Tliese peo])le dwell in small villages of 
from filty to one and two tliousand soids. 
licattereu along the coast, and forsfjine di-;- 



tance in the interior, each governed by a 
chief and several subordinate headmen, 
whose will, though regulated by custom 
and precedent, has the force of law, and is 
seldom resisted. 

To those African tribes, the relations of 
the Liberian government are entirely 
peacelul and friendly, and its authority 
over them highly salutary and benelicenl. 
It has banished the slave trade from all 
tlus district of Africa ; adjusted the dill'er- 
ences which separated, and suppressed the 
wars which have for centuries spread 
misery and devastation among these peo- 
ple ; has interrupted, if not eradicated, 
some of their mo.st barbarous superstitions, 
ministered new incentives to their industry, 
opened new chaimels and supplied new 
motives and rewards to trade, tmd invited 
them to listen to the teachings and become 
enriched with all the blessing.s of civihza- 
tion and Christianity. In a recent trial lor 
a capital offence in the County of Grand 
Bassa, three native Africans sat among the 
jury ; nor is it unusual to meet with res- 
pectable individuals of tliis class holding 
commissions as public officers of justice or 
police, from the President of the repub- 
lic. 

The Maryland Colony, at Cape Palmas 
exerts, perhaps, a less positive and control- 
ling authority over its large native popu- 
lation than is exerted by the govennuent 
of the repubUc ; yet the influence of its in- 
telligent and respectable officers is highly 
beneficial, and must increase; while the 
missionary establishment within its limits 
excites our admiration, and deserves the 
most hberal support. 

In regard to the third subject of inquiry 
specified in my instructions — -'the form of 
the government, and the characters of the 
leading men in the executive, legislative, 
and judicial departments" — allow me to 
point to the constitution of the republic of 
Liberia, fully pervaded by the spirit of 
liberty, and, in all vital i)articular.s, con- 
formed to the model of our own American 
free government. No provision is contain- 
ed in this constitution for the existence of 
separate State governments, nor do its 
framers appear to have contemplated or 
desired their oxistence ; but in the pro- 
vi.sion for the election of the President and 
representatives every two years; in the 
subordination of the military to the civil 
power; in the declarations of the right of 
trial by jury, of universal toleration in 
matters of religion, aiid of the freedom ol 
the press; and in the prohibition of tin- 
sl::\i- tr.idc and slavery. — have tiie people 



77 



shown the purpose and ahillty to rcai\ for 
the projection ol' tht-ir Uljcrtiea, a wisely 
limited and justly constructed republican 
government. 

PUBLIC REVENUE. 

On the fourth topic of inquiry — " the 
public revenue and the means by Avhich it 
is raised" — I observe tliat lor the two years 
previous to the independence of the re- 
public, the annual revenue of the govern- 
ment, derived mainly from a six per cent. 
ad valorem duty on imports, amounted to 
from eight to ten thousand dollars. 

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. 

" The relations of Liberia to other gov- 
ernments, and to the contiguous African na- 
tions or tribes," are amicable, and becom- 
ing every year more advantageous. 

The independence of the republic has 
been acknowledged by both England and 
France ; aiid between the former and the 
republic a treaty of peace, friendship, and 
commerce, was ratified on the first of Au- 
gust last ; and hardly a week passes dur- 
ing which armed ships from these or other 
civilized nations are not seen visiting the 
ports, and exchanging civilities with the 
hospitable inhabitants of Liberia. By 
treaties with many African tribes, the re- 
public has not merely enlarged its terri- 
tory, but secured their consent to the abo- 
lition of the slave trade, and to the exer- 
cise of its political and judicial authority 
over them; and to its wisdom and justice 
are these tribes accustomed to look tor the 
adjustment of their differences, and the 
protection of their homes, liberty, proper- 
ty, and lives. In some instances, tribes 
irom the interior have hastened for safety, 
before the fury of merciless ibes, to the 
soil of the republic, and found peace and 
repose under the shadow of its wings. 

AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, AND MANUFAC- 
TURES. 

" Of the agriculture, commerce, and 
manufactures of the repubhc, and in par- 
ticular its trade with the United States, 
and the susceptibility of that trade to be 
beneficially increased," it may be confident- 
ly asserted that the soil of the republic is 
capable of yielding abundantly the most 
valuable productions of the tropics. In 
some prehrainary observations to an agri- 
cultural manual, prepared in 1825. for the 
Liberian settlers, by Mr. Ashmun, that 
gentleman writes to them thus : — Suffer me 

11 



to put down two or fhrco remarks, of the 
truth and imnortaiicn of wliicji you cannot 
bo too sensible. The first is, that the cul- 
tivation of your rich lands is the only way 
you will ever ihn\ to indejtendcnce corn- 
tort, and wealth. Yon may, 11' you please. 
if God gives j-ou lieallii, bt-comc us inde- 
pendent, comlltrtabic, and happy a.s you 
ought to be in this world. 

'' The flat lands around you, and [)artic- 
ularlv your farms, have as good a soil as 
can be met with in any country. They 
will ])rodnce two crops of corn, sweet po- 
tatoes, and several other vegetable.-^, in a 
year; they will yield a larger crop than 
the best soils in America; and they will 
produce a number of very valuable arti- 
cles, for which, in the United States, mil- 
lions of money are every year paid away 
to foreigners. One acre of rich laml well 
tilled will produce you three hundred dol- 
lars' worih of indigo. Half an acre may 
be made to grow half a ton of arrow root. 
Four acres laid out in colFee plants will, 
after the third year, produce you a clear 
income of two or three hundred dollars. 
Half an acre of cotton trees will clothe 
your whole family ; and, excepting a little 
hoeing, your wife and children can per- 
form the whole labor of cropping and man- 
ufacturing it. One acre of canes will makc^ 
you independent ol' all the world lor the 
sugar you use in your family. One acre 
set with fruit trees v.'ill furni.sh you the 
year round Vv'ith more plantains, bananas, 
oranges, limes, guavas, pawpaws, and pine- 
apples, than you will ever gather. Nine 
months in the year you may grow fresh 
vegetables every month ; and some ofyou, 
who have low-land plantations, may do so 
throughout the year." 

My observations on the banks of the 
rivers of the republic, (especially the St. 
Paul's, the St. John'.s, and the Sinou,) 
along both sides of Stockton creek, and 
among the gardens of ^Monrovia and the 
plantations in its viciuitj-, confirmetl my 
bchef in the general correctness of this 
statement, though the agricultural improve- 
ments do not equal all cxjicctations which 
it would natur,ally create. The committee 
of Montserado county fail, however, I think, 
to do fall justice to themselves and their 
follow-citizsns when they say, " In agricul- 
ture, little more is done than to supply 
ourselves with the necessaries and a few of 
the conveniences of life." Coasidering how 
hmited have been the pecuniary mcan.s of 
the emigrants to Liberia, and the difficulties 
always inevitable to the settlers in a coun- 
try to the climate of which they are stran- 



78 



i^ors, and with the protlucL; of wliicli tlicy 
iiavc to make theiiisclves acciuaiiited, 1 am 
rather surprisetl tluit they have done so 
much in a-irieidture than that tliey have 
done no more. Snb;;tantial farm liouses, 
surrounded l>y well ck^ared and cultivated 
plantations, of from ten to thirty and lifty 
or seven tv acres, adorn, on both sides, the 
banks of" the St. Paul's (with occasional 
interruptions) for the distance of twenty 
miles. Several hundred a/.-res are cleared 
(in part out of a dense and lofty forest) at 
Ba.«;sa Cove, Edina, and at Ik'.xley, (some 
five to eight miles up the beautiful river St. 
John's ;) and at Greenville, Kossville. and 
Ueadville, on the Sinou. are similar decided 
evidences of agricultural industry and im- 
provement. It may be confidently ])rcdicted 
that, whenever adequate capital, skill, and 
machinery, .shall be introduced, the culture 
of rice and cotton, the. sugar cane aiid coffee. 
will prove as successful and profitable as in 
any region of the world. My personal in- 
(juiries and ob.servations in Liberia have led 
me to concur in the opinion expressed by 
the intelligent committee of Bassa county, 
that in internal resources, " it is unsurpassed 
by any country of the globe." This com- 
mittee, and that appointed by the citizens 
of Sinou county, both declare that the dis- 
position for the cultivation of the soil is 
increasing. '• We have," say the committee 
of ^lontserado county, "an extensive terri- 
tory, which can at any time be easily en- 
larged, by compact with the proprietors of 
the soil, "to any desirable extent. The soil 
is of the highest fertility, and adapted to a 
great variety of articles available in the arts 
and in conunerce. The forests teem with 
valuable timber for furniture, house and 
ship building. The rivers aljound with 
choice fish, and the woods with ganie, and 
our gardens can be made to produce every 
thing in their kind necessary to a comforta- 
ble exi.'^tence." 

The .<ame committee state, " That coffee 
of a sujierior kind is indigenous here, and 
flic ])eople are turning their attentiim to the 
cultivation of it. and means only are wanted 
to bring it in large (luantities into the mar- 
ket ; sugar cane also thrives well, though. 
for the same reason, no considerable (juan- 
tity has been produced ; cotton, ginger, 
arrow-root, and numerous plants and shrubs 
employed in the viatrrid me.dica, grow 
here with tlie vigor and fruitfulness of in- 
digenous articles." In .-iddition to tlie givat 
.sUiplcs of rice, cotton, the sugar cane, and 
coffee, the 1 jb( rians specify corn, ca.s.^ada, 
yams, sweet i)otatoe.s, t-abbages, arrow ro<)t. 
turnips, licets. carr<4.-;. tomatoes, lima ami 



other licans, peas, cymlings, chiota, ochra, 
cucund)ers, choice varieties of pepper, ground 
nuts, palnia christa, the India rubber tree, 
the crolon oil nut, and the palm tree, (so 
multiplied in its uses,) as among their pro- 
ductions; and among their fruit.s. oranges, 
lemons, limes, guavas, pine apples, plantahis, 
bananas, tamarinds, rose apples, pomegran- 
ates, cherries, cocoa nuts, paw paws, mango 
j)luras. alligator pears, patango, bread fruit, 
melons, and various other valuable vegeta- 
bles and fruits of the tropics. Most of these 
I have myself seen gi-owing luxuriantly 
in the gardens and farms of the republic. 

According to the late Mr. ]>uxton, whose 
researches on the .subject of the agricultural 
and commercial resources of Africa were 
very accurate and extensive, of dye-woods 
there are an aliun<lance, yielding carmine, 
crimson, red, brown, brilliant yellow, and 
blue; of gums there are cojial. Senegal, 
mastic, and .sudan or Turkey gum. The 
.shea, or butter-nut, is hardly less valuable 
than the palm-nut. The tree producing it 
is said to extend over a large portion of the 
continent. Park thought the butter made 
from it superior to that made from cow's 
milk. The same gentleman qiiotes, from a 
report on Sierra Leone, the opinion of Mr. 
McCormack, '• That the delta of the Seeing 
Broom, Kitiam. and (iallenas rivers coidd 
grow rice enough for the supply of the 
whole of the AVest Indies." 

It is known to all who have visited Libe- 
ria, that large substantial cotton cloths, 
spun, woven, and dyed by the natives of 
interior Africa, are brought in great num- 
Viers for sale to the merchants of Monrovia 
and the neighboring settlements, and are 
purchased by the Africans on the coast. 

Fiom what 1 saw of the growth of the 
sugar cane on several plantations on the St. 
Paul's, it is impossible for me to doubt that 
it will soon prove among the most valuable 
productions of that rich country. The 
Liberia Ilerahl stated, more than a year 
ago, that ]\Ir. Cyrus Willis of I\IUlsburg, 
had made in one sea.wn more than .').00f> 
pounds of beautiful sugar, and a quantity 
of excellent syrup. Prima the appearance 
of his cane fields, it was thought his sub.se- 
quent crop would produce eight thousand 
l)Ounds. Though the death, recently, of 
this enterprising man is to be regi'ctted, it 
is hoped and expected that this experiment 
will be prosecuted successfully by others. 
Beaver says : "Of the vegetables that are 
wild, the sugar cane, cotton shrub, and in- 
digo ])lant seem the most valuable. No 
country in the world is more amply cn- 
ri'hcd fliJin this is with the chief produc- 



79 



tions of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 
The ground nnt yields a pure golden- 
colored oil, of a pleasant taste, and has l)een 
sold as high as X5() per ton. The castor- 
nut grows wild on the hanks of the (Janil)ia 
and elsewhere. 'Phe ginger of Africa is 
particularly fine and liighly llavorod ; it 
yields about sixty for one ; and the people 
only want instruction in the method of pre- 
paring it for the European markets. 

'' The woods of this continent are ex- 
tremely valuable. Tra^'ellcrs enumerate 
not less than forty species of timber, wliich 
grow in vast abundance, and are easily ob- 
tained — such as mahogany, teak, ebon}-, 
lignumvitte, rosewood, etc. 

" With few considerable exceptions, the 
vrhole line of coast in Western Africa, ac- 
cessible to trading vessels, presents immense 
tracts of lauds of the most fertile character, 
which only require the hand of industry 
and commercial enterprise to turn into in- 
exhaustible mines of wealth." 

The tea plant is reported by McQueen, 
on the authority of an Arabian traveller, 
and others more recent, to grow sponta- 
neously and abundantly in the interior of 
Afi'ica. 

MARYLAND COLONY. 

Of the Maryland Colony, at Cape Pal- 
mas, with a civilized population of about 
nine hundred, though the soil may be infe- 
rior to that of some of the settlements of 
the republic, we may report increasing at 
tention to agriculture, and fair prospects of 
success. 

At present, the commerce of the republic 
is restricted mainly to articles supplied by 
the native African population from the 
spontaneous resources and growth of the 
country — palm oil, camwood, ivory, tortoise 
shell, and occasionally small quantities of 
gold — given in exchange for tobacco, ])0\v- 
der, muskets, rum, cotton goods, salt soap, 
crockery and iron ware, copper and iron 
rods, and American provisions. Of course 
this trade must increase with the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of the 
country ; nor is it easy to set limits to the 
amount or value of its exports, when human 
industry, skill and labor shall have cleared 
away the wilderness, and brought its lands 
under the cultivation of a civilized people. 

TRADE, ETC. 

Hitherto the books of the Liberian Cus- 
tom House have not .shown the extent of 
the trade within the territory of the re- 
public, because duties have been collected 



only at the ports ol' critry^ whil.: larje 
Eui^lisli and (.Jerman e.stuhlishinent:^ have 
been condnrtiiij^ their opcmlioMs on otiier 
an(l dillerenl jKirLs of tiie coast; atid it in 
l)clicvcd that more tliau one of tliesc cs- 

taidishiuents have each exported a i;dly 

as large an umount of pruduce, lr«j;n re- 
ijions under its authority, as tiie entire, 
quantity set down as cxijorts in the hooks 
ol the collecLui-. Tlie energy and vigil- 
ance of tlie'authoriticH of the rei)uhhc will, 
it is presumed, give elleet to an etlicient 
revenue system, and l()reign traders h(5 
compelled to enter all their goods, and pay 
thereon the prescribed duties. 

The entire su]>pressioh of the slave trade 
within, and in both directions far beyond, 
the limits of the repubhc ; the order, peace, 
and security arising under a just and well 
administered government ; the new eji- 
couragements and rewards extended to in- 
dustry, in connection with the vast extent 
of the camwood forests, and the great 
number and productiveness of the jjulm 
trees — give reason to anticipate a rapid in- 
crease in the amount of some of the most 
valuable articles of African commerce. 
Of ihe present amount of imports and ex- 
ports, different opinions are expressed by 
intelligent citizens of the republic. The 
committee at Sinou estimate the imports 
annually at about four hundred thousand 
dollars, and the exports at seven hundred 
thousand. The committee of Moin-ovia 
represent that of piilnv uil arc annually ex- 
ported from the republic live luindred 
thousand gallons. The editor of the Li- 
beria Herald, in an article on the palm oil 
trade, of June 7th, IS 47, says: — "Every 
man in the colony knows that the palm 
trees abound tiu'oughout all our borders; 
that no space of five miles can be pene- 
trated where they may not be counted by 
scores ; that, where they do not grow, they 
have only to be planted ; that the soil is 
every where adapted to them ; and, also. 
that they become more prolific the niore 
regularly the fruit is gathered from them. 
AI)out the year 1815. Capt. Spence, a 
merchant trader from London. purch;ised 
from the natives about the river Sestcrs, 
two barrels of oil, and encouraged them to 
go on in procuring it, by engaging to take 
all they could make in the ensuing season. 
We may safely put down the amount ex- 
ported in IS 16. from the region extending 
from Cape Montserado down to Caj)e 
Palmas, at two millions of gallons." 

The t()llowingli'tter, from the Secretary 
of the Treasury of the Liberian republic, 
merits a place in this report : — 



80 



Monrovia, Novciubor 23, 1S49. 

•Dear Sir: — In reference to tlie con- 
vorsiition we hud :i lew ilays ago us to the 
aiuonnt of coinnierce between Lil)eria and 
the United State:-;, I Ir.ive, after con:<ulting 
^\-itli a s^n-nth-nian of considerable experi- 
ence in nieiTuniile aflairs, arrived at the 
conclu.siuii that it may be safely admitted 
tliat one fifth of the entire trade with Li- 
beria is with the United States. 

" The committee whose duty it was to 
furni.-;h you with a report have, I think. 
<-on.siderably underrated the annual exports i 
from Liberia. It may be i'airly stated at 
five hundred thousand dollars in African ; 
commodities, (one-fifth of which is one 
hundred thou-sand dollars.) and our im- 
ports fi-om the United States may be es- 
timated at cue hundred and fifty tliousand 
doliar.s. 

•• It is worthy of remark, that, at present, 
it is only from the United States that our 
merchants import goods; and further, that 
the kind of goods most suitable for the 
Africrai trade come from Europe. 

" The commerce of Liberia is in its in- 
i'ancy ; but it advances rapidly. The two 
principal articles of trade arc tobacco and 
powder; and no country can compete 
with the United States in these items. 
Provisions, also, v/ill soon find an exten- 
sive marlict in Liberia; already the na- 
tives have comm.enced purchasing them, 
I)articalarly beef, pork, and salt fi;3h. 

" I am not exaggerating when I aay. 
tliat the trade advances at least fifty per 
cent, annually. 

'•The American cotton goods are in 
([uality superior to those brought irora 
Europe, but there is a material (HlFerence 
in the price. The European is the cheap- 
est; and hence the inability of the Ameri- 
can to compete with the European. In 
Liberia we attribute the dilFen-'nce in 
price to the low price of lubor in Europe. 
• Yours, very respectl'ully. 

"M. Lewis. 
" Ili;v. R. R. rjuRLEY." 

iMISSION.S. 

Dedicating herself with extraordinary 
liberality and vigor of purpose to the cause 
of Cliri.sti-.uiity in Libi.'ria, the Methodist 
Episcopal fliiirch ol'tlie United States has 
Kent to Lilteria tiie treasures of divine 
truth and the messages of divine mercy; 
and, ill fourteen day siihools and eight(;en 
Sunday schools, tiny afford iiiHtruclion 
to not l".'3s than six hundred and ninety 

pUj)ih<. 



Animated !)y a kindred 3i)irit, the South- 
ern Ba])ti.st Boaril of Missions have gather- 
ed into their scliools in the repulilic three 
hundred and tliirt)' children, ninety-two of 
whom are chilih-en of native Africans; and 
their missionaries preach the divine word 
to teji thousand of the native population, 

The Northern Baptist Board have mis- 
sionary scliools at Bexley, in Bassa county, 
and at Little Bassa : at the former twenty- 
four native pupils, and at the latter sixteen 
— both schools being conducted by educated 
native teachers of exemplary piety. A 
Baptist church is organized in connection 
with this mission at Bexley, sixteen native 
Africans having been admitted to its com- 
munion. 

Several missionarj' stations are occupied 
by the board of the Presbyterian Church, 
(old school,) and schools and churches sus- 
tained by them at Monrovia, Sinou. and on 
the banks of St. Paul's river. A plan is 
already adopted for the establishment and 
endowment of a high school at Monrovia, 
to bear the honored name of Alexander, 
to be sustained by the donations of mem- 
bers of this communion. The Rev. Mr. 
EUis, who Avill be connected with this 
seminary, has acquired knovdedge under 
most depressing circumstances, and proved 
hov.^ a strong and virtuous mind may en- 
counter and subdue the evils of fortune. 

Of Mr. James's school at Monrovia, 
v\']iich derives support from the benevolent 
ladies of New York city, I concur in the 
I opinion of Mr. Harris, " tliat it would 
I be an honor and an ornament to any New 
I England village." •' I visited," he contin- 
I ucs, " this school, and am compelled to con- 
j fess, tliat, in reading, writing, grammar, 
and all the branches of a common school 
! education, I never witnessed greater pro- 
ficiency of scholars of the same age in any 
part of ni}' native New England. This 
school was founded by the ladies of New 
York; and my impression i.s. that they 
continue to contribute with great liberality 
to its maintenance." 

The mission of the Protestant Episcopal 
church, at Cape Pafmas, (the .seat of the 
Maryland colony.) has three native male 
schools, containing about sevent)^ pupils, 
and two female boarding schools, contain- 
ing forty scholars. In the Sunday and 
niglit si'hoolsof the mission are about two 
hundred and twenty to two hundred and 
ii)rty pupils, of i)oth scxe.s. In addition to 
these schools for natives, arc U\a day and 
two Sunday K"hools f()r ithe children of the. 
<-olonis(s. The male .school has filteen 
pupils now ])rej)aring for a contemplated 



81 



high school, and the female day school 
has about fifty scliolars, while the two 
Sunday schools embrace from eighty to 
one hundred cliildren. 

Of native and colonial children, the 
number under the care and patronage ol 
this mission exceeds three hundred. Of 
native communicants there are about f )rty- 
live, and m connection with the colonial 
church twenty-five, making in all seventy 
members. 

The intelligent Governor oi' the ]Mary- 
land colony, in reply to inquiries on tlie 
subject of education, saj-s: — "We have 
six day schools, numbering one hundred 
and seventy-four jjupils, and three Sun- 
day schools of one hundred and twenty- 
eight. We are in great need of a high 
.school, in which the higher branches of 
education may be taught." 

Every civilized stranger, instructed in 
the truths, and sensible of the Christian re- 
ligion, who visits the repubhc of Liberia, 
nuist experience an inexpressilde delight, 
not only in the visible evidences of the in- 
stitutions of a free and well-organized 
State, but in the quiet, ever-active, and be- 
neficent operations of missionary teachers, 
penetrating, and making glad by their pre- 
sence, the gloom of the African forest, and, 
under the protcclion of its government, in- 
viting not only its sons and its daughters 
into their schools, but imparting, with a 
zeal, a cheerlulness, and a perseverance 
jiot to be defeated, a knowledge of letters, 
of some branches of science, and above all, 
of Divine revelation, to the superstitious 
and barbarous population of Atrica. To 
find Christian teachers and ministers witli 
libraries — small, but of choice books — in 
their thatched dwellings, beneath the shade 
of the jialm tree, in spots where but a fev/ 
openings have lieen made in the dense 
forest ; to see groups of native African 
children gatliered for instruction ; to listen 
to voices of Christian worshippers, and 
hear the songs of Chrisli-in praise, amid 
the habitations of idolatry and cruelty — 
gives beauty even to the aspect of uncul- 
tivated nature, and animates vfith unwontetl 
joy every thoughtful andbenevolent heart. 
The authorities and people of Liberia 
cherish a sincere attachment to the govern- 
ment and people of the United States. 
They are sensible that, under the auspices 
of American benevolence, they have at- 
tained to their present elevation, from 
which they are permitted to see before 
them a widely expanding and glorious 
pi'ospect of social happiness and political 
prosperity and renown. 



ArUUW.N COLONIZATION. 

The .'jchemc of African coloniz.itiun ori- 
ginated not- only in hetievolence towanls 
our colored i)opulatiiiii, but towards bolli 
races on tiiis continent, a:id fowardu lw(» 
quarters of the glo!)C. At its inciM,tio.i. 
our most illustrious Plate^meu — a J» ffer- 
son, Marshall. Alonroo, and Madi-son — 
gave to it their sanction. It was seen t;> 
unite Christian philanthroi)y with poliiioal 
expediency; a just regard for our naiion- 
al Aveliiire, with the more solemn obliga- 
tions ol' religious duty. It has derived 
strength from the homes of the good and 
pious in our Southern Stales, and found 
eloquent advocates and defenders in their 
legislative halls. Many States liavr- 
urged its claims upon the General Cxov 
ernment, and the voices of the churches ol' 
every name second their appeals. 

But it is the success of the plan of Afri- 
can colonization, as seen in the independ- 
ent Republic of Liberia, that most conclu- 
sively commends it to national considi^ra- 
tion. On that far dista;it shore, for ages 
darkened by superstition and outraged l)y 
crime, a community of free colored persons 
from the United States, aided by Araeri- 
c;in benevolence, have adopted a Consti- 
tution of free govcrimiont, and taken their 
high position among the independent 
States' of the world. England and 
Franco have acknowledged their right oi' 
self-government, and their just claim to 
the respect and comity of nations. What 
higher motives can be imagined than 
those v/hich have given existence to this 
Republic ? What work more honorable, 
or more sublime than that to which it is 
dedicated and destined? Though at 
present W'av in numbers and very limited 
in means, a vast field for action and inilu- 
ence opens beibrc it; and in its constitu- 
tion and laws, in the spirit of its people, 
the advantages of its position, and the mo- 
tives and necessities of those who mw 
hastening to build up their homes and 
their fortunes under the shadow of its 
wings, we see the elements of mighty 
power, of an unbounded growtli and pros- 
perity. It has been justly said, that " tlu^ 
great necessity of the world I'd this mo- 
ment is a free, civilized, and powerful 
State within the tro])ics— a necessity felt 
through every period of the world's his- 
tory, and now about to be realized. Tin- 
western coast of Africa is, in every point 
of view, tlie most cllective position for 
such a State to occupy. The black race. 
of which there cannot be much less than 



82 



150,000.000 on oartli, is pre-eminently the 
race needing such a development, and pre- 
pared for it; and the United States arc 
exui'tly in a condition to I'ound such a 
( 'onuiionwealth with this race, and under 
circumstances the most hopeful to the 
world, and the most beneficial to the 
l)lack-s." Around thisRepuhlic of Liberia, 
tin; morning star of Africa's redemption, 
revealing how great evils may be trans- 
muted by thv'. hand of the Ahniglity into 
an incalculable good ; whifh looks with 
encouraging and cheering aspect upon the 
Al'rican race in every part ol' tlir earth ; 
reconciles the gift of Ubcrly with the 
highest interests of those who bestow and 
those who receive it ; opens a quarter of 
the world, for many years shut up in bar- 
barism, to the genial and renovating influ- 
ence of letters, laws, commerce, and Chris- 
tianity — arc gathered the s3'mpathies of 
all virtuous and generous minds, allied 
with its safe-guard, the all-encircling and 
never-slumbering power of an omnipotent 
I'rovideiKO. The rapid increase of tree 
persons of color, in many of the States of 
tliis Union; the importance, for their bene- 
fit more than our own, of i'lcir organiza- 
tion into a community, by themselves, in 
the land of their ancestors; the immense 
advantages such a community must secure 
to itself and extend to others, by develop- 
ing the resources and turning into legiti- 
mate channels the commerce of Africa, by 
the civilization it must impart, and the 
moral and political truths it must exem- 



plify and enforce among her ignorant, de- 
based, and chaotic poj)ulation — all com- 
mend the Republic of Liberia to the re- 
gards of (he Cieneral Govenniicnt of this 
Union. Engaged in awork of unsurpassed 
dignity aiid importance, the inhabitants of 
this small Republic are accomplishing 
more good, as I must believe, than any 
equal luunber of human beings, in private 
stations, on the iace of the globe. More 
than to the united endeavors of all Chri.s- 
tian nations, with their treaties and armed 
squadrons against the slave trade, is hu- 
manly indebted for its suppression along 
many hundred miles of the African coa"-t. 
to the people of Liberia. But it should 
not be concealed, that to explore Africa ; 
to establish commercial intercourse and re- 
lations witii her interior tribes ; to improve 
and Ibrtify the harbors of the Republic ; 
to make needful cxi)eriment5 in agriculture 
and the arts in a region to which the peo- 
ple from this country have so recently 
been introduced, and to maintain a wise 
system of education Jbr all classes of her 
population, .so that its territory shall olier 
an attractive home to all the free descend- 
ants of Al'rica — demands pecuniary means 
to which the present revenues of Liberia 
are unequal. But since this Republic, 
more than any other power, will devclopc 
the resources and increase the trade of 
Western Africa, the United States, in aid- 
ing lier endeavors, will open new markets 
(()r American production.s, and essentially 
augment American commerce. 



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COLONIZATION 



THE WESTEEN COAST OF AFRICA, 



BY MEANS OF A LINE OP 



MAIL STEAM SHIPS 



REPORT OF THE NAVAL COMMITTEE— EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS-LETTERS-SPEECIIES, tc. 



NEW YORK: 

PRINTED BY W. L. BURROUGHS, (STEAM POWER PRESSES,) 113 FULTON STREET. 

1851. 



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